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Cold winds and warm attachments: Interrogating the personal attachment to neoliberal work and economy

Musilek, K.; Jamie, K.; McKie, L.

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Authors

K. Musilek

L. McKie



Abstract

The question of personal attachment to work in neoliberalism is subject to debate. Some scholars postulate that personal attachment to work based on durability, collectivity and predictability is weakening because of changes in its organisation; work ceases to provide the basis of subjectivity and identity. Conversely, others claim work, and neoliberal economic logic generally, pervades ever deeper into our lives, shapes our subjectivity, and incites personal and individualised attachments. This article describes four ways social scientists have understood personal attachments: entrepreneurship discourse; biocracy; approaches emphasising desire, lack and affect; and approaches highlighting the normative justifications and ethics of the self. It interrogates their theoretical underpinnings, empirical focus and points of confluence and difference.

Citation

Musilek, K., Jamie, K., & McKie, L. (2020). Cold winds and warm attachments: Interrogating the personal attachment to neoliberal work and economy. Work, Employment and Society, 34(3), 514-525. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017019856798

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 6, 2019
Online Publication Date Jul 4, 2019
Publication Date Jun 1, 2020
Deposit Date May 15, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Work, Employment and Society
Print ISSN 0950-0170
Electronic ISSN 1469-8722
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 3
Pages 514-525
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017019856798

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Copyright Statement
Musilek, K., Jamie, K. & McKie, L. (2020). Cold winds and warm attachments: Interrogating the personal attachment to neoliberal work and economy. Work, Employment & Society 34(3): 514-525. Copyright © 2019 The Author(s) DOI: 10.1177/0950017019856798





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