Oppression, Exploitation and Possibilities for Emancipation under Neoliberalism: Nonprofit Organizing and Voluntary Action from the View of Critical Theory and Postmodernism

• In Event: Critical Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizing and Voluntary Action I: Overview of the Field

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the Frankfurt School and postmodern perspectives as well as how these critical perspectives have contributed to our understanding of nonprofit organizing and voluntary action. The chapter commences with a brief history of the development of the Frankfurt School and the critical perspectives scholars who are associated with the School developed. The chapter then discusses how postmodernism has extended, countered, or refuted the work of the Frankfurt School over time. The chapter then discusses the manner in which these perspectives have been applied to the study of nonprofit organizing and voluntary action over three generations. We note that the development of neoliberalism and its influence on aspects of nonprofit organizing and voluntary action has been a singular focus of critical scholars. The chapter concludes with an appraisal of this work and charts a potential path forward for critical nonprofit studies.

Authors

• Billie Sandberg, Portland State University

• Andrew Russo