Alienation and neoliberalism in Argentina and Spain: Between the malaise of meaninglessness and the impulse to resistance

Karl Marx conceived alienation as a consequence of the division of labor in industrial-capitalist society, although later reformulations of the concept as a psychological concern lead into a decline of its theoretical use, particularly within the Spanish-speaking world. In this dissertation, I argue that alienation merits a return to the spotlight within the neoliberal framework, proposing that in the 21st century alienation is incited by the dissonance between the ideals of neoliberal normalcy and success and the inability of individuals to actually achieve them. This dissertation examines cultural engagement with, and criticism of, the modern experiences of alienation in the 21st century (at work, regarding leisure, and within social connections), particularly in the contexts of Argentina and Spain. Departing from Marxian conceptions of alienation, but also considering contemporary approaches, I use the framework of alienation to examine cultural responses that reflect on the manner in which neoliberal ideology leads individuals to alienating experiences. At the intersection of sociology, affect theory, cultural, literary and film studies, and disability studies, this dissertation studies representations of alienation in all spheres of life in contemporary Argentine and Spanish literature and film, focusing on the aftermaths of socioeconomic crisis, issues of body alienation, and the way alienation takes shape within the context of network technology. The works analyzed in this dissertation were selected not only due to their thematic representations of alienation, but also because of their use of aesthetics and form to question certain elements inherent to neoliberal ideology. I argue that there is a tension in these works between a sense of apathy and meaninglessness, but also the seeds of resistance within a system that, even if understood as inescapable, provide an opportunity for awareness and change.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Spanish

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Gilbert, Lucia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Torres-Cacoullos, Anna
• Ledesma, Eduardo
• Martínez-Quiroga, Pilar
• Meléndez, Mariselle

• Spain
• Argentina
• Alienation
• Neoliberalism

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Lucia Gilbert

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125675

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F125675