Imlisunep (left) with Akumtemsu during the lecture on “Neoliberalism and the Making of the Self: From Chile to the Burnout Society” at Patkai Christian College on April 15.
Chümoukedima, April 16 (MExN): The Reading and Writing Club of Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) organised an academic engagement session on “Neoliberalism and the Making of the Self: From Chile to the Burnout Society” at the college conference hall on Wednesday.
The session was chaired by Aloyeno H Zhimo, who welcomed participants and outlined the objectives of the Reading and Writing Club, which seeks to promote critical thinking, engagement with scholarly ideas and the integration of faith with academics.
The speaker, Imlisunep, assistant professor in the Department of Economics, delivered a lecture on neoliberalism, describing it not merely as an economic policy but as a broader system shaping political, social and individual life.
Tracing its origins to the 1930s, he referred to key developments such as the Colloque Walter Lippmann and the formation of the Mont Pelerin Society in 1947. He highlighted the role of Milton Friedman in advancing neoliberal ideas centred on free markets, privatisation and individual liberty.
He noted that such ideas have contributed to what scholars describe as an “achievement society”, where individuals constantly strive for success, often leading to stress, anxiety and burnout as self-worth becomes tied to productivity.
The session was moderated by Akumtemsu of the Department of History, who introduced the topic by linking neoliberalism with the concept of a “burnout society”, characterised by continuous pressure to perform.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, with participants discussing issues such as the balance between self-improvement and self-exploitation, structural inequalities and the growing influence of market-driven logic in everyday life. The discussion also highlighted how individuals increasingly internalise pressure, resulting in emotional exhaustion and stress.
