A genealogy of contemporary liberalism: a foucaultian criticism of german ordoliberalism

Abstract

Based on the investigations of Michel Foucault on the liberal tradition, developed particularly in the course taught at the Collège de France, titled "Birth of biopolitics", we aim to explain the criticism engaged in one of the headquarters of contemporary liberalism, namely the German ordoliberalism. With this goal, we pursue to give emphasis to the argumentative strategy of the School of Freiburg which culminates in what the French theorist called "state-phobia". We also discuss about the neoliberal model promoted by the connection between the market economy, competitive practice and "social policy". Then we show that the ordoliberalism sought to erect a Vitalpolitik articulated with a new conception of homo oeconomicus: the "company man". In achieving this aim, the law is the support of the game proposed by the competitive economics of the market. Finally, we emphasize the existence of biopolitical elements in the neoliberal model of the School of Freiburg.