The discursive tactics of neoliberal development in small Third World countries

摘要: Abstract This paper draws from the regulation approach and discourse analysis to contextualize evaluate current trends in industrial development policies of small Third World countries. The investment promotion guidebooks eight economically-weak states Caribbean Basin littoral Africa provide evidence for construction mediascapes. Through promises a pro-investor climate, images scientific production, avoidance reality social discontent, signal that country is signatory neoliberal world order ripe export-oriented manufacturing. demonstrate considerable homogeneity regarding discursive tactics, messages, capital. typical advertising package combines three themes: contextual depiction (pledges subsidies, an open economy, cheap unorganized labour; tropical paradise friendly natives), science fiction (dreams high technology, telecommunications, informatics), strategic omission (exclusion strife, resistance, hardship, societal degradation). incentives causes generous incentive packages across cancel each other out, thereby raising stakes necessary lure fastidious investors. Homogenization through mediascapes not total, however. invitations international capital are trapped by local context. Investors discover either or on site history struggle preclude unproblematic absorption implementation hegemonic project.