The University of Sheffield
Department of Politics

PhD Students - Jörg Wiegratz

Details

email : J.Wiegratz@sheffield.ac.uk

Thesis Title: The cultural political economy of
embedding neoliberalism in Uganda: an analysis of changes in moral norms and trade practices in the rural economy since 1986 (provisional)

Start Year: 2007

Supervisors

Graham Harrison

Tony Heron

Research Topic

Uganda is regarded as the African country that has adopted the neoliberal reform package most extensively. Notably, neoliberal reforms have targeted the reshaping not only of the economy but also of the society and culture. The reforms aim at the emergence and consolidation of `market society´
(free-market, capitalist social relations), which includes a corresponding set of moral norms of behaving and relating to each other (homo economicus,
self-interest, individualism, utility maximizing behaviour, transaction-based relations, money).

Reforms,therefore, have to undermine, overwrite and displace pre-existing norms,values, orientations, valuations and practices among the population. Particularly noteworthy is the attempt to change, directly or indirectly, moral norms. That means changing what is regarded acceptable and unacceptable, proper and improper, legitimate and illegitimate behaviour in the light of the moral
principles in the country. Reengineering morals therefore also entails changing the criteria by which people evaluate each other´s (and their own) actions.

My research is on moral restructuring in Uganda since 1986, when the 1981-86 guerrilla war ended and the current ruling party, the National Resistance Movement, (NRM) rose to power. That research reveals that this cultural dimension of rapid neoliberal reform has negatively affected the relationships
and trade practices between smallholder farmer(peasants) and traders in rural markets. Extensive interviews in Kampala and eastern Uganda suggest that since the onset of liberal economic reforms (liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation), face-to-face rural trade practices have been characterised by higher levels of `malpractice´ and a change in their form. These malpractices include deception, intimidation, theft, collusion, corruption, and various manipulations regarding price, quality and quantity.

In general, the changing moral and political economy in the country since 1986 has led to increasingly unconstrained moneymaking, in which those with social,
economic and political power pursue their self interest almost without regard for the costs to others. Related to this is a focus on quick profits with little regard for quality or for longer-term considerations. This self-interest is being rationalised, supported and justified by a new set of neoliberal orientations, norms and discourses that increasingly govern Ugandan economy and society, as they increasingly govern life in other countries undergoing neoliberal reform, and they bring with them undesirable consequences (which, in turn, further affect the moral restructuring process and the malpractice trend).


The research tries to track and explain these changes, especially the change in business practices and underlying moral norms, by exploring people´s
experiences, views and interpretations, and by tracing the history of rural trade relationships and practices in the country. The research also considers
the part played in the shifting moral economy by a variety of institutions that affect people´s daily lives, including councils, the police and judiciary,
churches, financial institutions, advertising firms, NGOs and donors/aid agencies (which were particularly adamant in pushing for the neoliberal reforms). More generally, the analysis captures the ways that embedding a neoliberal business culture changes not only the political economy but also the moral order of local markets, communities and the country at large. For a more detailed overview of the preliminary findings see the summary document on this
website. The thesis should be submitted in August, 2010. Any comments or further information will be appreciated.

Research Interests

Political economy and related aspects of sociology & anthropology, Sub-Saharan Africa/Uganda, neoliberalism, moral economy, development, global economy (production, value chain governance, business culture, economic malpractice, deception), capitalist society, aspects of socialization & learning(education, training)

Academic Degrees

Authored Publications

Co-authored Publications

Contributed Publications

Publications in newspapers/periodicals

Conference Papers

Presentations

Other Presentations

Teaching

Professional Affiliations

Other Work

2007: Resource Person: Makerere University.
2006-07: Researcher and Consultant: UPTOP and GTZ.
2004-05: Junior Consultant: for UNIDO, attached to the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry of the Republic of Uganda (Department of Industry and Technology).
2003-04: Intern: UNIDO, Strategic Research and Economics Branch.