Adapt!

In Adapt!, Barbara Stiegler explores the genealogy of neoliberalism, examining the rhetoric of adaptation and its implications for society and democracy.

In Adapt!, Barbara Stiegler presents a compelling exploration of the genealogy of neoliberalism, tracing its roots through the lens of Darwinism and American liberalism. The book delves into the pervasive call to 'adapt' that echoes through various facets of contemporary life, prompting readers to question the origins of this sentiment. Stiegler skillfully examines the intellectual debates between figures like Walter Lippmann and John Dewey, who grappled with the implications of adaptation in a rapidly changing world. While Lippmann advocated for a government of experts to guide society's evolution, Dewey championed a more democratic approach, emphasizing grassroots adaptation.

Stiegler's work is not merely a historical account; it is a thoughtful critique of the biopolitical discourse that has come to dominate our understanding of human nature and societal progress. By engaging with the ideas of Michel Foucault alongside Lippmann and Dewey, Adapt! offers fresh insights into the forces shaping neoliberalism and its impacts on our lives. Stiegler argues that the rhetoric of adaptation has been instrumental in normalizing the need for external management of society, raising critical questions about the essence of human nature and our capacity for self-governance.

As the book unfolds, it also addresses the urgent challenges posed by industrialization and environmental degradation. Stiegler urges readers to contemplate the possibility of a democratic governance of life in the face of climate disruption and health crises. In this way, Adapt! serves as both a historical analysis and a call to action, inviting us to rethink the frameworks through which we understand our world and our place within it.