Governing through freedom and responsibility: A qualitative study examining the expression of neoliberal governmentality in strategies concerning Swedish foreign development aid
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate exercises of power in Swedish foreign
development aid, ultimately answering the question of how aid is governed. This is done by
conducting an abductive qualitative content analysis exploring four actor-focused aid
strategies guiding The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). By
utilising Micheal Foucault’s theory of governmentality in general, and the theory
development of neoliberal governmentality in particular, governmental rationalities,
techniques and subjectifications are deciphered and analysed to increase the comprehension
of how neoliberal governing is expressed in Swedish aid. The analysis finds that the
strategies to a high extent motivate a moralisation of market principles and freedom as an
operational space for agency and choice, using a pluralistic arena of agents to govern from a
distance, with an intention to shape the conduct of subjects into responsible and
self-governing people. Finally, it is concluded that although a reducing legitimacy of
neoliberal ideology in contemporary aid policy, it remains ascertain that neoliberalism has
continued to influence as an art of government.
Degree
Student essay
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Date
2023-10-26Author
Sund, Kajsa
Keywords
development
Swedish aid
SIDA
governmentality
neoliberal governmentality
Micheal Foucault
Global studies
Language
eng