The interface between affirmative action and neoliberalism

The case of Fiji

Bibliographic Data

ID3877913
AuthorsSteven Ratuva (0000-0002-2393-4581, University of Canterbury, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume27
Issue1
Pages135-154
Publication date2015-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCultural Dynamics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0921-3740 • E-ISSN: 1461-7048
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0921374014564653
OpenAlexW2331628929
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited13

The notions of affirmative action and neoliberalism may be theoretically contradictory since the former deals with state intervention and the latter with privatization, the reality can be quite complex as the case of Fiji suggests. In a situation where the state has an ideological obligation to pursue neoliberal policies and a political commitment to implement affirmative action programs, the role the state plays as political and economic mediator can be syncretic, that is, both accommodating and contradictory. The article examines the interface between affirmative action and neoliberalism in Fiji in the context of regime change through coups. It discusses the deployment of affirmative action programs as mitigation against neoliberal market competition and at the same time, how neoliberal policies were used as a means of achieving some objectives of affirmative action, in particular the economic empowerment of the indigenous Fijian middle class

Affirmative action · Empowerment · Ideology · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Canadian Policy and Governance · International Development and Aid · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Law

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