U.S. College Student Activism during an Era of Neoliberalism - A Qualitative Study of Students Against Sweatshops

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

This article examines experiences of college student activists involved in Students Against Sweatshops on the Beautiful River University campus. Using observation and interview fieldwork, it analyzes how students negotiate and interpret activism within a neoliberal environment. The study finds that contemporary activism depends on advanced time management and the ability to assign multiple meanings to activities. It also shows how prioritizing activism, outreach, and friendships connects participants to an international network while shaping resistance to neoliberal practices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Neoliberal reform and higher education

Student activism and its definitions

Conceptual Framework

Higher education and neoliberalism

Institutional and faculty competition

U.S. College Student Activism during an Era of Neoliberalism: A Qualitative Study of Students Against Sweatshops Rachel Fix Dominguez State University of New York Abstract This article sets out to examine the experiences of college student activists involved in Students Against Sweatshops on the Beautiful River University campus. Based on observation and interview fieldwork, the paper explores how students negotiate and understand their activism against the backdrop of neoliberalism. The paper concludes that being a contemporary student activist requires advanced time management skills and the capacity to ascribe multiple meanings to activities (for example, hanging out and doing activism simultaneously) . This emphasis on using one’s time wisely resonates with students who are surrounded by the language of neoliberal reform . By analysing how students prioritise activism, outreach to new members and develop friendships, and position themselves as part of an international network, I show that student activism is influenced by the neoliberal environment at Beautiful River University at the same time that student activists are working to resist and counter such practices. Introduction In this article, I set out to examine how undergraduate college students narrate and enact their on-campus activism in an era of neoliberal reform. I define neoliberalism as apolitical-economic philosophy that de-emphasises positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress by encouraging free-market methods and fewer restrictions on business operations and economic development. Supporters of neoliberalism argue that free markets, free trade, and the unrestricted flow of capital will produce the greatest social, political and economic good (Hartwich, 2009) . The university campus is far from immune to this press of neoliberalism. Davies and Bansel (2007) argue that, “individuals . . . have been seduced by their own perceived powers of freedom and have, at the same time, let go of significant collective powers”(p. The Australian Educational Researcher, Volume 36, Number 3, December 2009 •125 RACHEL FIX DOMINGUEZ 249) . It is, therefore, important to examine the actions of higher education students who offer organised resistance to open market ideology. One aspect of the changing landscape of U.S. higher education that has not been analyzed in depth is how on-campus undergraduate student activism has played out against this backdrop of neoliberalism. Student activism is often defined as work done by students to impact political, economic, environmental and social change. Student activism often focuses on improving the educational landscape, or specifically on pressuring educational institutions to change curricula, funding schemes, and to amplify student voices and representation in decisionmaking (Rhoads 2000; Altbach 1968, 1970) . While I do not assume that contemporary U.S. activism differs greatly from activism conducted by previous generations of students (for an historical discussion of student activism in the U.S. and in comparative perspective, see Altbach & Laufer, 1972), I do attempt to better understand how the current neoliberal atmosphere pervading U.S. higher education may impact present-day student activism. In order to learn more about college student activism in the current economic landscape, I conducted ethnographic fieldwork (observations and in-depth interviews) with members of Students Against Sweatshops at Beautiful River University. The group will hereafter be referred to as BRUSAS; the university as BRU. All proper names, includingthe names of students, have been changed to protect confidentiality. Conceptual Framework Higher education and neoliberalism Scholars working to understand the construction of undergraduate student identity at U.S. higher education institutions in the early 21st century have argued that the demands of individual consumerism have mark

FAQs

What is the main focus of this qualitative study?

The study examines how college student activists involved in Students Against Sweatshops narrate, negotiate, and enact activism on campus amid neoliberalism.

How does the paper define neoliberalism in the introduction?

It presents neoliberalism as an apolitical-economic philosophy that de-emphasizes positive government intervention, prioritizing free-market methods and fewer business restrictions to achieve progress.

What does the study conclude students need to be effective activists today?

It concludes that contemporary student activism requires advanced time management and the capacity to assign multiple meanings to activities while prioritizing organizing, outreach, and community-building.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine