New Religion #3 Neoliberalism as a belief system

How do you challenge a belief system when you don't even realize you are a devout follower? In this third and final edition of the programme series ‘New Religion’, student-in-residence Sam Kailani uncovers the most pervasive belief system of our time: Neoliberalism. Join us for an evening of critical reflection, interactive rituals, and, of course, free drinks and snacks.

We often think we live in a secular age, yet we unknowingly subscribe to a strict ideology. In the church of the market, productivity is a virtue, output is salvation, and our personalities are commodities to be optimized. It has become nearly impossible to imagine a world without capitalism. But if the economy is a faith, can we choose to stop believing?

The evening features two in-depth talks and a series of interactive interventions. We are joined by Professor Wouter Hanegraaff, who will examine the roots of this ideology, and researcher Naomi Woltring, who will discuss its impact on our society. Throughout the programme, Sam Kailani will guide the audience through "micro-rituals": short, collective exercises designed to deconstruct our inner capitalist, from sharing "Resumes of Failures" to practicing "Anti-Networking."

Programme Overview

• Wouter Hanegraaff (Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, UvA): Historicizes the concept of neoliberalism, exploring how we arrived at this point and analyzing the system through the lens of religious history.
• Naomi Woltring (Researcher, Centre for Parliamentary History): Discusses insights from her dissertation De marktconforme verzorgingsstaat, detailing how neoliberal ideas have fundamentally transformed the Dutch welfare state.
• Collective Interventions: Throughout the evening, we will engage in brief, guided interactions to break the fourth wall of the market economy and connect as humans rather than "human capital."

Practical information

The programme is open to everyone free of charge. Due to the limited number of places, we ask you to register via the form