Why the world stopped making sense: How the neoliberal "class war" fueled global chaos

Salon - Apr 26th, 2025
Open on Salon

Dan Davies, a former banking regulator, explores the pervasive issue of information overload and its ties to political chaos in his book "The Unaccountability Machine." He delves into how this overload results in decisions lacking clear accountability, a phenomenon he terms as the "accountability sink." Davies critiques the neoliberal revolution that emerged after the 2008 financial crisis, describing it as a class war that prioritized shareholder interests and simplified complex economic realities to focus solely on present costs and prices.

Davies contextualizes the current global political environment by tracing its roots to three intellectual revolutions: the managerial, cybernetic, and neoliberal revolutions. He argues that the neoliberal focus on shareholder value has diminished the capacity of organizations to handle complexity, leading to systemic failures. Davies suggests restoring effective communication and accountability through approaches like management cybernetics to rebuild the broken feedback loop between decision-makers and the public, thereby addressing the mass distress and complexity of modern systems.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article presents a compelling exploration of Dan Davies' theories on information overload and neoliberalism, offering valuable insights into the challenges of modern governance and accountability. Its strengths lie in its clear articulation of complex ideas and its engagement with issues of significant public interest. However, the article's reliance on a single perspective and the lack of empirical evidence or diverse viewpoints limit its depth and impact. By incorporating additional sources and engaging with counterarguments, the article could enhance its balance and credibility. Despite these limitations, the article effectively contributes to ongoing discussions about economic and political reform, encouraging readers to critically evaluate the systems that shape their lives.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a range of complex ideas centered around Dan Davies' book, "The Unaccountability Machine," and its analysis of information overload and neoliberalism. The main claims, such as the concept of an "accountability sink" and the historical overview of managerial, cybernetic, and neoliberal revolutions, are generally accurate but require further verification through detailed historical and economic analysis. The story accurately attributes these ideas to Davies and provides a coherent narrative around them.

However, some claims, like the portrayal of neoliberalism as a "brutal class war" and the suggestion that the 2008 financial crisis was a direct result of systemic information-processing failures, are more interpretative and would benefit from empirical backing. The discussion about cybernetics and its application to human systems is grounded in established theories by Stafford Beer and others, but the connection to modern economic and political systems needs more concrete examples.

Overall, while the article accurately conveys Davies' viewpoints and theories, it occasionally presents them as factual without sufficient empirical support. This limits the precision of its claims, as the reader is left without a robust framework to independently verify these assertions.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Dan Davies' perspective, which is critical of neoliberalism and emphasizes the need for systemic change in handling information and accountability. While this provides a thorough exploration of his ideas, it lacks a balanced representation of opposing viewpoints or critiques of Davies' theories.

There is minimal engagement with alternative perspectives on neoliberalism or the potential benefits it might have brought to economic systems. The narrative is predominantly one-sided, emphasizing the negative impacts of neoliberal policies without acknowledging any counterarguments or supporting evidence from proponents of neoliberalism.

The lack of diverse viewpoints may lead to an imbalanced understanding of the topic, as readers are not exposed to a comprehensive debate. Including perspectives from other economists or scholars who might challenge or support Davies' claims could enhance the article's balance and depth.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, effectively conveying complex ideas in an accessible manner. The narrative flows logically, guiding readers through Davies' analysis of information overload and the historical context of managerial and economic revolutions.

The use of analogies, such as the "accountability sink" and "black box," aids in simplifying intricate concepts, making them more understandable to a general audience. The language is precise and avoids jargon, ensuring that the discussion remains engaging and comprehensible.

While the article is clear in its presentation, it occasionally assumes a level of familiarity with economic theories and historical events that may not be shared by all readers. Providing additional context or definitions for specialized terms could further enhance clarity and accessibility.

7
Source quality

The primary source of information in the article is Dan Davies and his book, "The Unaccountability Machine." As a former banking regulator, Davies is a credible source with expertise relevant to the discussion on information overload and economic systems. His professional background lends authority to his analysis of accountability and neoliberalism.

However, the article relies heavily on a single source, which limits the breadth of its insights. The lack of additional sources or references to other experts in the field reduces the potential for comprehensive understanding. Incorporating a wider range of authoritative voices, such as economists, historians, or political scientists, could provide a more nuanced view and validate or challenge Davies' assertions.

While Davies' expertise is unquestionable, the article would benefit from corroborating his claims with additional scholarly sources or empirical data to strengthen its reliability and depth.

6
Transparency

The article offers a clear and comprehensive overview of Dan Davies' ideas and the central themes of his book. The discussion of concepts like the "accountability sink" and the historical revolutions in management and economics is well-articulated, providing readers with a foundational understanding of Davies' arguments.

However, the article lacks transparency regarding its methodology and the basis for some of its claims. It does not sufficiently disclose how Davies' theories were developed or the empirical evidence supporting them. This absence of methodological transparency limits the reader's ability to critically assess the validity of the arguments presented.

Additionally, potential conflicts of interest, such as Davies' professional background influencing his viewpoints, are not explicitly addressed. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better evaluate the impartiality of the content.

Sources

  1. https://www.salon.com/2025/04/26/why-the-world-stopped-making-sense-how-the-neoliberal-class-war-fueled-global-chaos/
  2. https://ground.news/article/why-the-world-stopped-making-sense-how-the-neoliberal-class-war-fueled-global-chaos
  3. https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016403345
  4. https://www.salon.com/2024/06/08/the-neoliberal-university-faces-rebellion-this-generation-could-change-everything/
  5. https://bsky.app/profile/dsquareddigest.bsky.social