An analysis of neoliberal sociality in the particular case of bitcoin

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2017

Öğrenci: EFE CAN GÖKSARAN

Danışman: BARIŞ MÜCEN

Özet:

This thesis analyzes the texts of Bitcoin as a particular case for Neoliberal discourse as it is developed by Austrian School of Economics. Fundamental concepts of the Austrian School of Economics are based on individual liberty. This liberty considered to be possible only in the absence of the state in their theories. This absence defined in terms of states’ non-interference to market. The texts of Bitcoin follow a similar trail of thought and conceptualize freedom on the basis of individual liberty versus state and financial institutions. By claiming to bypass the intermediary institutions which are ‘hampering’ free-market, the texts of Bitcoin argue to overcome the control of the authorities. The main problematic of this thesis is to discuss how the market relations in Neoliberal discourse reduce the notion of freedom to financial freedom produced by market laws. Texts of Bitcoin claim to bypass authority of the state and intermediary institutions with the logic of free-market and the technology they propose. By discussing their main problematization and their claims this thesis aims to show what kind of governance Bitcoin aims to bring with the logic of pure market relations.