Neoliberalism's Impact On Queensland Planning: A Critical Essay.

This is an exercise in understanding how to apply theory to real world planning contexts and issues, as well as developing your critical reading skills.

You are asked to explain neoliberalism and how it interacts with the planning system in Queensland. Select one of the week one readings to analyse, identifying key themes and arguments. Discuss the influence of, or links between, the themes and arguments raised in the selected article and neoliberalism, and identify some lessons or implications for Queensland. If it helps, there are five interrelated parts to this essay:

1. Explain neoliberalism. This will include synthesising a definition, preferably from multiple scholarly sources.

2. Based on this understanding, how does neoliberalism interact with and influence planning in Queensland?

3. Critically analyse your chosen reading, particularly focusing on themes that might be linked to the definition of neoliberalism you have outlined.

4. Discuss the links between neoliberalism as defined and the essay.

5. Identify how these links might affect planning in Queensland – use examples!
 

What is Neoliberalism and How is It Linked to Planning in Queensland?

Neoliberalism is an ideology that focuses on free market capitalism and transferring control of economic factors from the public sector the private sector. This concept can push deregulation on economies around the world and promote privatization for economic growth. This essay discussed how neoliberalism influences planning in Queensland and critically analysed the reading by Head (2007) to understand how the themes presented in the article is linked to neoliberalism. These links will be further used to discuss how it affects planning in Queensland.

Neoliberalism is a concept that emerged in social science many years back. Springer, Birchand MacLeavy (2016) mentioned that three rationalities is associated with neoliberalism. These there included individualism (where individual is provided ontological priority over a group), universalism (expansion tendencies towards an open market) and meliorism (the potential of human to improve themselves). Hence, these three factors interact to develop the ideology of neoliberalism. Another research scholar argues that neoliberalism is a controversial and incoherent term. One argument given in the book is that neoliberalism has emerged out of alliance between neoclassical economics and the Austrian-Libertarian tradition. Another argument defines neoliberalism as a political project that restores capitalist power in the aftermath of economic and social crises. In the early 1980s, neoliberalism was used as a term to describe wave of market deregularisation and privatization and before 1980s, it was a term mainly used by economist (Venugopal, 2015). 

The synthesis of the definition from multiple scholarly sources suggests that neoliberalism is an approach that promotes privatization and provides the power to overcome economic crises. This concept is consistent with planning in Queensland as currently Queensland government is focussing on facilitation private sector activities and paying attention to private hospitals and private health insurance rather than public hospitals. This type of neoliberalism planning suggests that stakeholders involves in planning in Queensland need to develop specialist knowledge and skills to facilitate economic outcomes. This will require dual role. Firstly, the planned needs to take the role of neutral adviser and secondly, they need to act as a politician who advocates for economic growth (Wright & Cleary, 2012, October). However, adapting the neoliberalism concept in planning process will also lead to ethical dilemmas because of the need to drastically modify the nature of economic market in Queensland.

Australia’s planning process is strongly influenced by strong neoliberal reform agendas and the continued influence of neoliberalism is seen in Queensland too. The climate change adaptation process has also been influenced by neoliberalism (McClure & Baker, 2013). This is evidenced by many policies in Queensland which favour private sector solutions, adapt competitive governance and embrace economic development. For example, policy makers in Queensland have planned to affect climate change adaptation by developing a finance institution that is dedicated to private sector development and evaluating mechanism that mobilize private capital. As climate change adaptation in the private sector requires commissioning on future changes and purchasing insurance to transfer risk, planning process has focussed on analysing sectoral issues instead of evaluating the magnitude of private sector investments (Stenek, Amado & Greenall, 2013). Hence, the neoliberalism concept has affected the way institutions are arranged, policies are framed and data and information is organized to influence planning in Queensland. 

The Influence of Neoliberalism on Community Engagement and Citizen Participation

The week 1 reading by Head (2007) is linked to the definition of neoliberalism as the reading mainly emphasizes on community engagement and citizen participation. The articles mention that citizen participation and involvement are part of liberal democratic theory that needs to be used in various social, political and program context. The author gave the argument that currently there is renewed focus on dialogue between citizens and government so that priorities and actions can be defined. This is also an example of participatory governance which is an international trend. Citizen participation is linked with the definition of neoliberalism as discussed above because the concept in the reading defines how neoliberal group move close to the market to promote public good. The article by Brackmann (2015) justifies that neoliberal market practice aim to provide for the collective and community engagement is one factor that intersects with neoliberal practices and logics.

Some of the themes associated with neoliberalism include transferring control from public to private sector and resolution of sectoral issues. Head (2007) justifies that currently there is increase in adaptation of participatory approach because of growing awareness of complexities and inter-connected of many problems. In response to such awareness, seeking participation of local citizen has been identified as a solution to address the problem. This strategy reflects political consumerist behaviour which is affected by the spread of neoliberalism and neoliberal politics. Hence, neoliberalism concept has resulted in socialization of the young generation in socio-political context, thus giving the intention that consumer based approach to politics has emerged.  Kyroglou and Henn (2017) defines neoliberal concept as a theory of political economic practices which believes in well-being of humans by liberating individual entrepreneurial freedom and skills within an institutional framework.  In consistent with this concept, the article by Head (2007) linked to participatory approach and involvement of citizens in problem solving as a pathway towards building social capital. The author emphasized such resource can increase skills and connections among people to include wider groups and resources for development. 

Another theme that has been uncovered in the paper by Head (2007) is the development of structured channels for citizen participation. The article mentioned different types of participatory forms including information sharing, formal consultation, delegated power and citizen control. In addition, structured approach ensures that specific roles are given to citizenship for decision making. Furthermore, the utilisation and success of participatory approach is dependent on how community sector and citizens become involved or engaged. Moini (2017) justified that new participatory practices are tools that sustain the process of neo-liberalisation. The concept of neoliberalism has directly influenced the structure of governance. Moini (2017) gave a clear understanding regarding the historical and theoretical links between neoliberalism and participation. The author justified the role and function of participation in neoliberalisation process and revealed operational mechanism through which the goal of neoliberalism is achieved. Hence, the review of the reading suggests that the community engagement and citizen participation are process that helps to fulfil the neoliberalization policies and politics.  

Applying Neoliberalism and Community Engagement Concepts to Planning in Queensland

The above discussion showed several links between neoliberalism and the concept of community engagement and citizen participation. Firstly, the link was that community engagement is an attempt to move closer to the market to promote free market capitalism, a concept linked to neoliberalism ideology. This linkage can help in application of new concept to influence the planning process in Queensland. For example, Queensland planning system can focus on genuine community engagement so that local citizens take part in the planning process. This may involve steps like identifying local groups to work with, meeting legislative requirement to work with young people, building the capacity for people to participation in planning process and developing range of techniques that can appeal young people (Queensland Government, 2017). This will help to evaluate policies and programs and identify new types of service needed for economic development of the region. 

Another common link between community engagement and neoliberalism is that they are the pathway to interconnected problems in community. In the context of planning for Queensland, this concept would help in the identification of participatory framework for evaluating communication for development and social change. It would initiate two-way process of dialogue which is critical for social change and development. This would pave for identifying individualistic solutions for problem in the region (Tacchi & Lennie, 2014). This will also promote political ideals of liberalism rooted in neoliberal perspective and ensure that sustainable outcomes are achieved in relation to style of planning. The above two concepts can be applied in Queensland planning to realise public agreed goals, promoting equality in politically driven market. Urban changes in the region can take place when institutional components such as private sector, public sector and the community interact. The private sectors can engage in increasing provision for wealth, public sector can protect rights and civil society can act as a guardian for culture and ethics. Certain groups like small government, individual entrepreneurship, outsourcing and privatisation of government assets and lower taxes is likely to prosper with the utilization of neoliberalism and community engagement concept (Wright & Cleary, 2012, October). 

Conclusion:

To conclude, the essay gave an insight into neoliberalism can fit in community engagement and participatory approach towards development. The definition of neoliberalism and its link with reading indicates that public involvement is a strategy to enter the market and solve interconnected problems. The essay provided an insight into the possible ways in which participatory approach and citizen engagement can promote privatization, society development and achieving sustainable change. The approach gives the pathway for unique way of planning in Queensland where public sector, private sector and the community can get involved. 

References:

Brackmann, S. M. (2015). Community engagement in a neoliberal paradigm. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 19(4), 115-146.

Head, B. W. (2007). Community engagement: participation on whose terms?. Australian Journal of Political Science, 42(3), 441-454.

Kyroglou, G., & Henn, M. (2017). Political Consumerism as a Neoliberal Response to Youth Political Disengagement. Societies, 7(4), 34.

McClure, L., & Baker, D. (2013). Doing adaptation differently? Does neoliberalism influence adaptation planning in Queensland?. In State of Australian Cities Conference 2013: Refereed Proceedings. State of Australian Cities Research Network.

Moini, G. (2017). Participation, Neoliberalism and Depoliticisation of Public Action. SocietàMutamentoPolitica, 8(15), 129-145.

Queensland Government (2017). Community engagement toolkit for planning. Retrieved from: https://dilgpprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/Communityengagementtoolkit.pdf

Springer, S., Birch, K., & MacLeavy, J. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of neoliberalism. Routledge.

Stenek, V., Amado, J. C., & Greenall, D. (2013). Enabling environment for private sector adaptation: An index assessment framework. Retrieved from: https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/6060670042bd92b6b297be0dc33b630b/Enabling+Environment+for+Private+Sector+Adaptation+-+Stenek,+Amado,+Greenall.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Tacchi, J., & Lennie, J. (2014). A participatory framework for researching and evaluating communication for development and social change. © John Wiley & Sons.

Venugopal, R. (2015). Neoliberalism as concept. Economy and Society, 44(2), 165-187.

Wright, I., & Cleary, S. (2012, October). Reinvigorating planning and the planning system in Queensland-a neoliberal perspective. In Planning Institute of Australian Queensland State Conference.