Neoliberalism celebrates the idea of absolute freedom (individuals pursuing
their private desires) and, in the same breath, sustains an illusion
of egalitarianism. It re-appropriates the rhetoric of both liberalism and
democracy to distract citizen from the reality that neither ideal has come
closer to fruition under its reign. In fact, quite the opposite: Unwieldy
cries for enhanced self-interest contradict the veneer of democratic fraternity.
Neoliberalism functions parasitically. It eats away at any whiff of
collective action, in favor of the illusion of personal freedom. Meanwhile,
a gluttonous cadre sustains the (impossible) notion that ever-enhanced
freedom for the individual will simultaneously strengthen communal
coalitions.
Blouin, M.J. (2016) Magical thinking, fantastic film, and the illusions of neoliberalism. London: Palgrave Macmillan.