Neoliberal Optimism

Applying Market Techniques to Global Health

Bibliographic Data

ID2151346
AuthorsYuyang Mei (0000-0003-1404-0487, University of California System, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume36
Issue4
Pages381-395
Publication date2017-05-19
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0145-9740 • E-ISSN: 1545-5882
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01459740.2016.1239620
PMID27662074
OpenAlexW2521297701
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited41

Global health and neoliberalism are becoming increasingly intertwined as organizations utilize markets and profit motives to solve the traditional problems of poverty and population health. I use field work conducted over 14 months in a global health technology company to explore how the promise of neoliberalism re-envisions humanitarian efforts. In this company's vaccine refrigerator project, staff members expect their investors and their market to allow them to achieve scale and develop accountability to their users in developing countries. However, the translation of neoliberal techniques to the global health sphere falls short of the ideal, as profits are meager and purchasing power remains with donor organizations. The continued optimism in market principles amidst such a non-ideal market reveals the tenacious ideological commitment to neoliberalism in these global health projects

Accountability · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Global health · Health care · Ideology · Neoliberalism (international relations · Optimism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Population · Purchasing power · Sociology · Global Health and Surgery · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development

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