Introduction: Neoliberalism and the public sphere

Abstract

In contemporary scholarship, the term “neoliberalism” seemingly appears everywhere. Rather than seeking to develop a single definition that unifies these varied appearances, scholars in various disciplines, subdisciplines, and interdisciplinary domains may develop critical conceptualizations that inform particular, active areas of inquiry. This special issue represents such an effort for rhetorical and communication scholarship on the public sphere. As both an intellectual orientation and a practical project, neoliberalism challenges longstanding commitments of public sphere scholarship. In this introduction, I consider the challenges that neoliberalism presents to public sphere scholarship and public practice concerning themes of subjectivity, public engagement, and agency/structure.