Notes on neo-liberalism and the concept of ‘work’

The essay focuses on the emergence of neo-liberalism in India and how, it led to the creation of the information technology (IT) sector. It further addresses the concept of work that emerged out of IT sector that is beyond the traditional form of labour as once imagined by scholars.

Though, globally neo-liberalism has been critiqued due to its failed attempt at revamping the state's economy led by open and free market approach. From the economics perspective, neo-liberalism seems to be oriented towards profit and private investments. Besides, the economics perspective, neo-liberalism can also be seen as disrupting the social and cultural scene, as it tries to establish hope in market and private ownership. It is not an indigenous approach of economic reform but something that has been followed in other capitalist societies. Portes (1997) further argues that, neo-liberalism is a uniform approach promoted by developed countries and applied through financial organizations in developing countries, which results in disparate social and economic outcomes.

Stretching this argument further, Ong (2007) makes, an interesting commentary by metaphorically associating neo-liberalism with ‘technology’ that can govern free subjects (citizens) to co-exist in a politically rational environment. Critiquing neo-liberalism, scholars like Dumenil and Levy (2011) argue that it has strengthened the class system further because it benefited those who already had access to wealth and capital.

Contrary to this, neo-liberalism can be credited for giving birth or at least making explicit attempts in establishing new forms of work. According to several scholars (Bauman 1998; Sennett 1998; Beck 2000; Castells 2000; Rose and Miller 2008), “some of most dramatic changes relating to neo-liberalism and enterprise culture have occurred in the realm of work with profound implications for character and personality” (as cited in Gooptu 2009). IT is one such area of work, which qualifies to be a product of neo-liberal ideas especially in India. Since, the economic reform of 1991, a sector that has grown in prominence is the information technology or software sector (Nilakani 2008).

Vora (2007) in her doctoral dissertation mentions that this IT sector in India has given rise to new class of workers termed as transnational capitalist class. This breed of new workers can speak fluent English, has ‘cultural fluency’ and are adaptive to new technology. This class of workers is known as coders/programmers/IT consultant and analyst. Hence, this essay draws the background of neo-liberalism, which staged the growth of Indian IT sector that fuelled new kinds of work.