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The Political Logic of the Non-profit Industrial Complex
By Co-Director of the American Studies Association 2020-2021
Drawing from a deep reservoir of radical writing and activism leading abolitionist thinker Dylan..
The non-profit industrial complex is a vast and growing sector of the U.S. economy, with over 1.5 million organizations employing more than 10 million people. But what is the political logic of this complex? How does it function and what are its consequences? In this article, I will draw from a deep reservoir of radical writing and activism to explore the political logic of the non-profit industrial complex. I will argue that this complex is a product of the neoliberal era and that it plays a key role in reproducing the existing social order. I will also discuss the implications of this analysis for social change.
The non-profit industrial complex is a product of the neoliberal era. Neoliberalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the free market and the reduction of government intervention in the economy. This ideology has led to a decline in the social safety net and an increase in the role of the non-profit sector in providing social services. As a result, the non-profit industrial complex has become increasingly dependent on government funding and corporate donations. This dependency has led to a situation where non-profits are often forced to compromise their principles in order to secure funding.
The non-profit industrial complex plays a key role in reproducing the existing social order. Non-profits are often seen as apolitical organizations that are simply trying to do good. However, this is not the case. Non-profits are political organizations that play a key role in shaping public policy and the distribution of resources. For example, non-profits often lobby for legislation that benefits their particular constituency. They also provide services that help to maintain the status quo, such as homeless shelters and food banks. In this way, the non-profit industrial complex helps to reproduce the existing social order.
The analysis of the political logic of the non-profit industrial complex has implications for social change. First, it suggests that we need to be critical of the non-profit sector. We need to recognize that non-profits are not always what they seem and that they can play a role in reproducing the existing social order. Second, it suggests that we need to support alternative forms of social change that are not dependent on the non-profit industrial complex. These alternatives could include grassroots organizing, mutual aid networks, and worker cooperatives.
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