What Is Managerialism?

• Published in: Critical sociology Vol. 41; no. 7-8; pp. 1103 - 1119
• Main Author: Klikauer, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2015; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Approximation; Approximations; Capitalism; Critical theory; Ideology; Liberalism; Neoliberalism; Sociology; Theory formation; Traditional societies; managerialism; society; management; business schools; organizations; ideology; critical theory; capitalism
• ISSN: 0896-9205; 1569-1632
• DOI: 10.1177/0896920513501351

The term ‘managerialism’ has been widely used but theoretical publications on managerialism remain rare while theory development continues to be insufficient. This article is a contribution to the current discussion on managerialism. Managerialism is a deeply ideological project transcending its traditional position when entering into society. The following theoretical rather than empirical article sets out to present a short overview of the current debate on managerialism, seeking to deliver some preliminary approximations on a possible definition of managerialism and its ideological project. The second part highlights what distinguishes managerialism from neo-liberalism. It is followed by a brief discussion on ideology. Clarifications on managerialism and ideology set the scene for a few preliminary introductory thoughts in ‘Early Signposts for a Future Critical Theory of Managerialism’. The conclusion provides a brief emancipatory note on what lies beyond managerialism.