There has been a lot of feedback on my presntation style over the weekemnd. When I had 800,000 media views over the weekend, based on our channel, Channel 4's output, and my appearance on BBC1, that matters.<\/p>\n
On the Channel 4 YouTube channel, 1% of comments criticised my style, not the substance of what I said. I think I can safely ignore those making comments there.<\/p>\n
Some supporters here have suggested I need to show more tolerance for others' opinions. I should be more gracious, in other words.<\/p>\n
I will reflect on that.<\/p>\n
One thing many are not sure about is my use of the word neoliberalism. Some suggest I stop using the word.<\/p>\n
They say most people do not understand it, that it sounds academic, and that I would communicate better with simpler language.<\/p>\n
I understand the concern, but so far I disagree, saying which, I am seeking opinion, and not just to be gracious.<\/p>\n
Neoliberalism describes the economic and political ideology that has dominated much of our politics since Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979.<\/p>\n
It promotes markets, competition, private ownership and the restriction of government intervention in economic life. It has encouraged privatisation, deregulation, the weakening of trade unions and the prioritisation of shareholder interests.<\/p>\n
I think this ideology has failed.<\/p>\n
But the important point is that these policies are connected. The failures of water privatisation, the obsession with fiscal rules, the shortage of public investment and the growing concentration of wealth are not necessarily separate issues. They reflect a common way of thinking about how society should be organised. Neoliberalism is a term that encompasses all of them.\u00a0 So, if I stop talking about neoliberalism, how do I explain that connection?<\/p>\n
I could call it market fundamentalism, free-market economics or corporate capitalism. But none of those terms captures quite the same combination of economic ideas and political power.<\/p>\n
Of course, I have a responsibility to explain what neoliberalism means. I do not expect everyone to know already.<\/p>\n
But unfamiliar words are not necessarily bad words. Sometimes learning a new word helps us understand something important.<\/p>\n
My concern is that if we cannot name the ideology that has shaped our economic problems, we will struggle to understand why those problems persist.<\/p>\n
That is why I think I should continue talking about neoliberalism.<\/p>\n
But I am interested in what you think.<\/p>\n