Capabilities and false needs: a philosophical analysis of the influence of neoliberalism on economic inequality in South Africa

Abstract

A neoliberal global economic system is driven by a political rationality that creates and/or exaggerates socio-economic challenges such as economic inequality. South Africa has adopted some of the neoliberal characteristics and implemented a political rationality that is reflected in its policies and reaction to socio-economic crises. Economic challenges are often approached from quantitatively relying on economic figures and measures to understand and overcome these challenges. This approach oversimplifies socio-economic problems and often leads to the escalation of these problems. In response to this, a more dynamic, multi-dimensional approach is needed. Amartya Sen’s capability approach is one avenue of a multi-dimensional approach that will address this. Sen’s capability approach provides a multi-dimensional understanding of economic inequality. Sen is also critical of the utilitarian approach to understanding economic development and socio-economic challenges. However, Sen’s capability approach still tries to work from within the neoliberal economic system to change its economic and political approaches and policies. I argue that Herbert Marcuse’s concept of false needs not only demonstrates why a new rationality is required to overcome challenges such as economic inequality, but also supplements Sen by giving us an alternative rationality to develop a more dynamic approach to an economy that services the concerns, inequalities and needs of all citizens. A revolution of the quantitative understanding of well-being within neoliberalism is necessary to develop a new economic system that is directed towards a multi-dimensional human development that promotes a qualitative approach to well-being. I argue that a new generation in South Africa is inspired though art and memory to challenge and transform the current neoliberal rationality. Moreover, South Africans are in search of a new rationality and Marcuse’s theories offer the alternative.