The persistent, pernicious influence of neo-liberalism on our politics, economy, and society has entrenched a set of harmful ideas that shape our everyday thinking. From the belief that individuals are solely responsible for their success or failure to the idolization of free markets and the relentless pursuit of profit, neo-liberalism has corrupted the very principles that underpin a fair and just society. It’s time for a Neo-Liberal Detox – a multi-step, radical process of unlearning these damaging ideas and replacing them with a vision rooted in solidarity, collective welfare, and the rejection of corporate domination. This detox is not just about thought, but action – an ideological and material shift that will challenge the structures that sustain inequality and injustice. Here’s how we do it:

Step 1: De-Programming the Market-First Mentality

The first step in detoxifying from neo-liberalism is to disrupt the pervasive idea that the market is the ultimate and infallible mechanism for solving all problems. While markets can play a role in efficiently allocating some resources, they must be regulated and complemented by strong social safety nets to prevent exploitation and inequality. We need to recalibrate our minds to see the market as a tool, not a religion.

• Action: Reclaim public discourse – Create spaces (both physical and digital) where discussions about the role of the market, government, and public services are framed differently. Publicly funded healthcare, free education, and universal basic income must be championed as essential elements of a civilised society, not luxuries or burdens on the taxpayer.
• Action: Critique the ‘rational self-interest’ narrative – Engage in discussions and produce media content that unpacks how individualism and the myth of “self-made” success obscure structural inequality. Highlight collective achievements and mutual aid as legitimate paths to progress.

Step 2: Rebuild the Narrative Around Solidarity, Not Individualism

Neo-liberalism thrives on the myth that we are isolated individuals competing against one another. This isolates people, alienates communities, and undermines solidarity. It’s also important to recognize that this narrative disproportionately harms marginalized communities, who often rely on strong community networks for support and survival.

• Action: Foster communities of resistance – Build and strengthen networks of mutual aid, local activism, and political education groups that focus on community-building. Encourage co-ops, grassroots political action, and unions as powerful vehicles for collective power.
• Action: Shift the media focus – Instead of promoting success stories of individuals who “made it” on their own, spotlight collective victories—whether they’re the workers who successfully unionized a workplace or the communities that fought back against austerity measures.

Step 3: Reclaim Democracy from Corporate Power

Neo-liberalism isn’t just about economics; it’s about the consolidation of power in the hands of corporations. The influence of money in politics must be rejected at all costs. This is particularly true in countries where corporate lobbying and campaign contributions have a significant impact on policy decisions, often at the expense of marginalized communities.

• Action: Demand radical campaign finance reform – Advocate for the abolition of corporate lobbying and the introduction of stricter campaign finance laws. Push for public funding for elections to ensure that ordinary people, not corporations, have the dominant voice in politics.
• Action: Boycott and resist corporate-driven politics – Boycott companies that engage in exploitative practices, from wage theft to environmental degradation, and support local businesses, ethical companies, and cooperatives that reject the profit-maximization model.

Step 4: Reclaim the State as a Tool for Collective Good

Neo-liberalism has stripped the state of its capacity to serve the people. We must push for a reimagined, radical state that is a force for social justice, not corporate welfare. This requires acknowledging that not all state intervention is beneficial. The state can be a tool for oppression as well as liberation. The goal is a democratic and accountable state that serves the interests of the people, particularly the most vulnerable.

• Action: Campaign for a Green New Deal – Advocate for large-scale public investment in green infrastructure, public housing, healthcare, and education, with an emphasis on social and environmental justice. The state should be the engine of transformation, not a passive observer.
• Action: Abolish austerity – Fight against austerity policies that have gutted public services. Instead, champion policies that fund health, education, and social care, promoting the idea that these are human rights, not privileges.

Step 5: Rebuild Public Services as Human Rights, Not Commodities

Neo-liberalism thrives on the privatization and commodification of public services, whether it’s healthcare, education, or transportation. The notion that these should be subject to market forces is a betrayal of the idea of a just society.

• Action: Fight for public ownership – Advocate for the nationalization of key industries (healthcare, transport, energy) to prevent the extraction of profits from services that should be universally accessible. Engage in campaigns to bring privatized services back under public control.
• Action: Challenge the for-profit mentality in essential services – Push for a cultural shift where the provision of essential services is seen as a social responsibility, not a business opportunity. Mobilize public opinion through petitions, protests, and media to defend public services.

Step 6: Environmental Justice: Reject the Market’s Destruction of the Planet

Neo-liberalism is inseparable from environmental degradation. The drive for continuous economic growth and the prioritization of profit over sustainability have caused irreparable harm to our planet. This is especially true in the Global South, where the exploitation of natural resources has often come at the expense of local communities and ecosystems.

• Action: Support eco-socialist policies – Promote policies that prioritize environmental sustainability alongside social justice, such as the Green New Deal, which seeks to create green jobs and address the climate crisis while addressing inequality.
• Action: Challenge corporate environmental degradation – Target and expose corporations that are contributing to environmental harm and advocate for strong regulations that hold these companies accountable.

Step 7: Radical Economic Transformation

Neo-liberalism is ultimately about the concentration of wealth. We must redistribute that wealth and create an economic system that works for the many, not the few. While some proponents of neoliberalism argue that it has led to overall economic growth, this growth has often been accompanied by widening inequality, increased precarious work, and environmental damage. It’s not enough to simply grow the pie; we must also ensure that it is distributed fairly and sustainably. Furthermore, the concept of individual freedom is often invoked in defense of neoliberal policies. However, true freedom requires a basic level of economic security and social support. Without access to essential services, education, and opportunities, individuals are not truly free to pursue their goals and live fulfilling lives.

• Action: Promote wealth redistribution – Advocate for policies such as progressive taxation, wealth taxes, and the breaking up of monopolies. Challenge the obscene accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few individuals and corporations.
• Action: Universal Basic Income (UBI) – Support UBI as a necessary safeguard against the destabilizing effects of automation, precarious work, and growing inequality. The idea is not to replace work, but to ensure that everyone has a baseline of dignity and security, free from market forces.

Step 8: Reclaim the Future: Rebuilding Hope in Radical Change

One of the most insidious effects of neo-liberalism is the way it convinces us that radical change is impossible. It suffocates imagination, leaving us to believe that this system is the only way forward. We need to rebuild hope and foster a radical imagination.

• Action: Reclaim utopia – Engage in cultural production that promotes alternative futures. Art, literature, and media can help us envision a better world – one where equity, sustainability, and collective power are central to our society.
• Action: Educate and organize – Infiltrate educational spaces to challenge the neo-liberal curriculum that reduces history, politics, and economics to market-driven ideas. Teach about alternative economic systems, historical struggles, and the potential for transformative change.

Prioritizing Actions and Building Momentum

This detox requires a strategic approach. We can start with more achievable, short-term goals, such as supporting campaigns for specific policy changes (e.g., higher minimum wage, increased funding for public schools) or boycotting companies with egregious labor or environmental practices. These actions can build momentum and public awareness, paving the way for more radical, long-term transformations like campaign finance reform and the nationalization of key industries.

A Global and Intersectional Perspective

It’s crucial to remember that neoliberalism’s impact is global. In the Global South, neoliberal policies, often imposed through structural adjustment programs by institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, have led to debt crises, the dismantling of public services, and the exploitation of natural resources. This highlights the need for international solidarity and collaboration in challenging neoliberalism. Transnational social movements, such as the alter-globalization movement, play a vital role in connecting struggles across borders and building a global movement for change.

Furthermore, neoliberalism’s harms are not evenly distributed. Marginalized communities based on race, gender, class, and other factors often bear the brunt of its negative consequences. For example, women are often disproportionately affected by cuts to social services, while racial minorities are more likely to be targeted by predatory lending practices. Therefore, our solutions must be inclusive and address the specific needs of these communities.

The Endgame: A New Social Contract

The neo-liberal detox is not just about changing policy; it’s about changing the very fabric of our society. We can no longer live in a world where the economy serves the few at the expense of the many. This action plan is a call for a revolution – not just in thought, but in practice. By reclaiming the state, reimagining our economy, and building movements of solidarity, we can dismantle neo-liberalism once and for all and create a society where the common good, rather than corporate greed, is our guiding principle. The detox begins now.