Yes, Luc Boltanski is a French sociologist and philosopher who has written extensively about globalization and neoliberalism. He is a co-founder of the field of reflexive sociology, which seeks to understand the ways in which social actors make sense of their own actions and the world around them.
Boltanski’s work on globalization is characterized by its critical engagement with the neoliberal project. He argues that neoliberalism has led to a number of negative consequences, including:
Increased inequality: Neoliberalism has led to a widening gap between the rich and the poor, both within and between countries.
Erosion of social welfare: Neoliberal policies have led to the dismantling of social welfare programs, such as welfare, education, and healthcare.
Destruction of the environment: Neoliberal policies have led to the overexploitation of natural resources and the destruction of the environment.
Boltanski argues that neoliberalism is a form of “capitalism triumphant,” which is based on the idea that markets are the most efficient way to organize society. He argues that this ideology has been used to justify a number of harmful policies, including the privatization of public services, the deregulation of markets, and the reduction of taxes on the wealthy.
In his book The New Spirit of Capitalism, Boltanski and his co-author Ève Chiapello argue that neoliberalism has given rise to a new set of values and norms that are driving the capitalist system. These new values, which they call the “spirit of capitalism,” include:
Individualism: The emphasis is on individual achievement and self-reliance, rather than collective action and social responsibility.
Flexibility: People are expected to be flexible and adaptable in the face of constant change.
Performance: People are constantly evaluated and rewarded based on their performance.
Networking: People are expected to build networks of contacts and relationships to advance their careers.
Boltanski and Chiapello argue that these new values are creating a more precarious and insecure world for many people. They suggest that we need to find ways to resist the new spirit of capitalism and create a more just and equitable society.
Here are some of the specific ideas that Boltanski presents in his work on globalization and neoliberalism:
Neoliberalism is a form of capitalism that is based on the idea that markets are the most efficient way to organize society.
Neoliberal policies have led to a number of negative consequences, including increased inequality, the erosion of social welfare, and the destruction of the environment.
The new spirit of capitalism is a set of values and norms that are driving the capitalist system. These values include individualism, flexibility, performance, and networking.
The new spirit of capitalism is creating a more precarious and insecure world for many people. We need to find ways to resist the new spirit of capitalism and create a more just and equitable society.
Books
The New Spirit of Capitalism (with Ève Chiapello) (1999): This book analyzes the transformation of capitalism in the late 20th century, arguing that neoliberalism has given rise to a new set of values and norms that are driving the system.
The Enigma of Action (with Laurent Thévenot) (1991): This book examines the relationship between action and justification, arguing that people draw on a variety of orders of worth to make sense of their actions and the world around them.
On Justification: Economies of Worth (with Laurent Thévenot) (2005): This book expands on the ideas presented in The Enigma of Action, arguing that the concept of justification is central to understanding how societies work.
The Construction of Morality (1993): This book analyzes the way in which morality is constructed and contested in different societies.
Distrust: The Virtue of Disbelief (2016): This book explores the role of distrust in social and political life.
De la critique (1995): This book examines the concept of critique and its role in social and political analysis.
The Sociology of Critical Capacity (2009): This book explores the different forms of critical capacity that people use to make sense of the world around them.
The New Spirit of Capitalism (1999)
The New Spirit of Capitalism (French: Le Nouvel Esprit du Capitalisme) is a 1999 book by French sociologists Luc Boltanski and Eve Chiapello. It is a critical analysis of the post-Fordist era of capitalism and the cultural and intellectual changes that have accompanied it.
Key ideas
The book argues that the post-Fordist era of capitalism is characterized by a new spirit of capitalism, which is based on notions of flexibility, innovation, and creativity. This new spirit of capitalism is reflected in the rise of new organizational forms, such as the network organization and the project-based organization.
Boltanski and Chiapello argue that the new spirit of capitalism is a response to the crisis of Fordism. Fordism was a mode of production that was based on mass production and standardized products. It was successful for a long time, but it eventually began to break down in the 1970s due to a number of factors, including increased competition from abroad, the rise of new technologies, and a decline in the rate of profit.
The new spirit of capitalism
To address the problems of Fordism, a new spirit of capitalism emerged in the 1980s. This new spirit of capitalism is based on a number of key principles, including:
Flexibility: Companies are now required to be more flexible in order to adapt to changing market conditions. This means that they need to be able to change their production processes, their products, and their workforce more quickly than they were able to in the past.
Innovation: Companies are also now required to innovate more in order to stay ahead of the competition. This means that they need to be able to develop new products, new processes, and new ways of doing business more quickly than they were able to in the past.
Creativity: Companies are also now required to be more creative in order to come up with new ideas and solutions. This is because the new spirit of capitalism is based on the idea that companies need to be able to continuously create new value for their customers.
The rise of the new spirit of capitalism
The new spirit of capitalism is reflected in a number of new organizational forms, such as the network organization and the project-based organization. Network organizations are organizations that are made up of a network of independent companies or individuals. Project-based organizations are organizations that are set up to work on a specific project and then disband once the project is complete.
These new organizational forms are more flexible, innovative, and creative than the traditional hierarchical organizations of Fordism. They are also better able to adapt to the changing demands of the market.
Criticisms
The new spirit of capitalism has been criticized for a number of reasons, including:
It is alienating: The new spirit of capitalism is based on the idea that employees should be passionate about their work and that they should be constantly looking for new ways to improve. This can be alienating for employees, who may not feel that they have the time or the resources to do this.
It is exploitative: The new spirit of capitalism can lead to exploitation, as companies may demand more from their employees without providing them with the compensation or benefits that they need.
It is unsustainable: The new spirit of capitalism is based on an endless cycle of production and consumption, which is unsustainable in the long run.
Conclusion
The new spirit of capitalism is a complex and contradictory phenomenon. It is both a response to the crisis of Fordism and a new form of exploitation. It is up to us to decide whether we want to live in a society that is based on this new spirit of capitalism or whether we want to find a more sustainable and equitable way of living.
The Enigma of Action (1991)
In his book “The Enigma of Action,” Luc Boltanski explores the challenges and complexities of human action, particularly in the context of social, institutional, and political settings. He argues that action is not a straightforward process of simply responding to stimuli or fulfilling desires, but rather a multifaceted and often puzzling phenomenon.
Boltanski identifies four key aspects of action that contribute to its enigmatic nature:
The indeterminacy of action: Actions are not always predetermined or predictable; they can be influenced by a range of factors, including individual intentions, social norms, and unforeseen events.
The reflexivity of action: Actors are not simply passive recipients of external stimuli; they actively interpret and evaluate their situations, making choices and decisions that shape their actions.
The plurality of action frames: Actors draw on various frameworks or “orders of worth” to make sense of their actions and justify their choices. These orders of worth can conflict with each other, leading to dilemmas and moral challenges.
The situatedness of action: Actions are embedded in specific contexts, such as social institutions, political systems, and cultural norms. These contexts can shape the opportunities, constraints, and justifications available to actors.
Boltanski argues that these four aspects of action make it difficult to provide a definitive or universal account of how and why people act. Instead, he proposes a pragmatic approach to understanding action, focusing on the situated and contingent nature of human behavior.
In particular, he highlights the role of “practical experimentation” in shaping action. Actors often engage in a process of trial and error, trying out different strategies and responses to navigate their social environments. This experimentation allows them to learn from experience and adjust their actions accordingly.
Boltanski also emphasizes the importance of “moral intuitions” in guiding action. Actors often rely on their gut feelings and sense of what is right or wrong to make decisions, even in the absence of clear-cut rules or guidelines. These moral intuitions serve as a compass, helping individuals navigate the complexities of their social worlds.
Overall, “The Enigma of Action” provides a nuanced and insightful analysis of human action, highlighting its multifaceted nature, situatedness, and the importance of pragmatism and moral intuition in shaping our behavior. Boltanski’s work challenges simplistic understandings of action and encourages a more complex and context-driven approach to understanding human behavior.
On Justification: Economies of Worth (1991)
On Justification: Economies of Worth, a 1991 book by French sociologist Luc Boltanski and economist Laurent Thévenot, explores the moral and political dimensions of economic activity. It argues that economic decisions are not simply about maximizing profit or efficiency; they are also about justifying actions and claims to worth.
The book draws on the concept of “orders of worth,” which are distinct ethical frameworks that shape how people evaluate and act upon the world. These orders of worth are not simply abstract philosophical ideas; they are embedded in everyday practices and institutions.
Boltanski and Thévenot identify six main orders of worth:
Civic: This order is based on the idea of the common good and the pursuit of the public interest. It values impartiality, disinterestedness, and the rule of law.
Market: This order is based on the exchange of goods and services. It values efficiency, competition, and the profit motive.
Industrial: This order is based on the production of goods and services. It values efficiency, productivity, and technical rationality.
Domestic: This order is based on the care of others and the maintenance of the household. It values altruism, compassion, and the well-being of others.
Inspirational: This order is based on the pursuit of creativity, innovation, and personal fulfillment. It values originality, passion, and the expression of individuality.
Reputational: This order is based on the accumulation of honor and prestige. It values status, recognition, and the distinction of one’s social standing.
The book argues that people draw on these orders of worth to make sense of the world and to justify their actions. For example, a politician might appeal to the civic order when arguing for a new law, a businessperson might appeal to the market order when making a sales pitch, and a parent might appeal to the domestic order when disciplining a child.
The book also argues that conflicts between orders of worth are inevitable. For example, a company might prioritize profit over the well-being of its employees, or a government might prioritize security over individual liberty.
Boltanski and Thévenot argue that these conflicts can be resolved if people can find common ground across orders of worth. This requires a process of deliberation and compromise in which different perspectives are taken into account.
The book concludes by arguing that the ability to justify actions and claims to worth is essential for a just and democratic society. It is through this process of justification that we can resolve conflicts and build a society that is fair and equitable.