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Neo‐Liberal Agricultural Discourse in New Zealand: Economy, Culture and Politics Linked
Author(s) -
Liepins Ruth,
Bradshaw Ben
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
sociologia ruralis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-9523
pISSN - 0038-0199
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9523.00124
Subject(s) - backwardness , politics , reading (process) , agriculture , state (computer science) , political economy , political science , sociology , social science , economics , economic growth , law , geography , archaeology , algorithm , computer science
Based upon a detailed reading of various texts emanating from the Federated Farmers of New Zealand, this paper considers the ways in which this farm organization has acted as a conduit between farmers and broader economic, cultural and political institutions and structures influencing New Zealand agriculture. These texts portray the Federation as an articulate partner in wider constructions of a neo‐liberal discourse, which champions the market for its ‘freedom’ and ‘efficiency’ and denigrates the state for its ‘distortions’ and ‘backwardness.’ More generally, this reading shows how agriculture is a culturally constructed sector where influential political and economic philosophies can become naturalized and accepted as ‘truth.’