Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India

Arun Mascarenhas; Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar; Sugandh Malhotra

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India

Arun Mascarenhas^*

, Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar

, Sugandh Malhotra

Published in American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 10, Issue 2)

Received: 16 April 2025 Accepted: 27 April 2025 Published: 29 May 2025

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Abstract

As an economic and political framework, neoliberalism has significantly influenced global education over the past few decades, reshaping paradigms and practices within educational institutions. Neoliberalism, often referred to as ‘Market Economy,’ is marked by its advocacy for the deregulation of market-driven policies—the commodification of education, which has profoundly impacted various dimensions of education, including Design. Design education in India has undergone an evident transformation since its economic liberalization in 1991, reflecting broader neoliberal trends worldwide. The Design discourse in India was deeply rooted in socially relevant, need-based, and welfare-driven principles in its formative years, aligning closely with the national development agenda and emphasizing collective well-being. However, post-liberalization, the rise of private universities, and an increasing emphasis on market-driven ‘Design Thinking’ have shifted the focus toward neoliberal priorities, forming an ideological gap in design education that contests its foundational ethos. This paper critically examines this significant shift through the lens of ‘neoliberal creativity’ articulated in works like Kevin Gormley. It explores its ramifications on design pedagogy, institutional structures, and the role of creative domains within contemporary India. The literature review aims to scrutinize the multifaceted effects of neoliberal ideologies on education, primarily focusing on the emphasis on Creativity and Innovation while also providing insights into the evolving nature of pedagogical practices. Synthesizing existing illustrates how neoliberal policies shape educational structures and practices. That often prioritizes economic outcomes over the holistic development of students while marginalizing alternative Design Narratives. Hence, this analysis seeks to synthesize perspectives from various scholars, revealing a complex interplay between neoliberal ideologies and design educational practices.

Published in	American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
Page(s)	61-71
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Neoliberalism, LPG (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization), Design Education, Creativity, Innovation

References

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Mascarenhas, A., Sreekumar, G. V., Malhotra, S. (2025). Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. American Journal of Art and Design, 10(2), 61-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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Mascarenhas, A.; Sreekumar, G. V.; Malhotra, S. Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. Am. J. Art Des. 2025, 10(2), 61-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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Mascarenhas A, Sreekumar GV, Malhotra S. Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. Am J Art Des. 2025;10(2):61-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15,
  author = {Arun Mascarenhas and Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar and Sugandh Malhotra},
  title = {Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India
},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {61-71},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20251002.15},
  abstract = {As an economic and political framework, neoliberalism has significantly influenced global education over the past few decades, reshaping paradigms and practices within educational institutions. Neoliberalism, often referred to as ‘Market Economy,’ is marked by its advocacy for the deregulation of market-driven policies—the commodification of education, which has profoundly impacted various dimensions of education, including Design. Design education in India has undergone an evident transformation since its economic liberalization in 1991, reflecting broader neoliberal trends worldwide. The Design discourse in India was deeply rooted in socially relevant, need-based, and welfare-driven principles in its formative years, aligning closely with the national development agenda and emphasizing collective well-being. However, post-liberalization, the rise of private universities, and an increasing emphasis on market-driven ‘Design Thinking’ have shifted the focus toward neoliberal priorities, forming an ideological gap in design education that contests its foundational ethos. This paper critically examines this significant shift through the lens of ‘neoliberal creativity’ articulated in works like Kevin Gormley. It explores its ramifications on design pedagogy, institutional structures, and the role of creative domains within contemporary India. The literature review aims to scrutinize the multifaceted effects of neoliberal ideologies on education, primarily focusing on the emphasis on Creativity and Innovation while also providing insights into the evolving nature of pedagogical practices. Synthesizing existing illustrates how neoliberal policies shape educational structures and practices. That often prioritizes economic outcomes over the holistic development of students while marginalizing alternative Design Narratives. Hence, this analysis seeks to synthesize perspectives from various scholars, revealing a complex interplay between neoliberal ideologies and design educational practices.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India

AU  - Arun Mascarenhas
AU  - Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar
AU  - Sugandh Malhotra
Y1  - 2025/05/29
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
JO  - American Journal of Art and Design
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EP  - 71
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7802
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
AB  - As an economic and political framework, neoliberalism has significantly influenced global education over the past few decades, reshaping paradigms and practices within educational institutions. Neoliberalism, often referred to as ‘Market Economy,’ is marked by its advocacy for the deregulation of market-driven policies—the commodification of education, which has profoundly impacted various dimensions of education, including Design. Design education in India has undergone an evident transformation since its economic liberalization in 1991, reflecting broader neoliberal trends worldwide. The Design discourse in India was deeply rooted in socially relevant, need-based, and welfare-driven principles in its formative years, aligning closely with the national development agenda and emphasizing collective well-being. However, post-liberalization, the rise of private universities, and an increasing emphasis on market-driven ‘Design Thinking’ have shifted the focus toward neoliberal priorities, forming an ideological gap in design education that contests its foundational ethos. This paper critically examines this significant shift through the lens of ‘neoliberal creativity’ articulated in works like Kevin Gormley. It explores its ramifications on design pedagogy, institutional structures, and the role of creative domains within contemporary India. The literature review aims to scrutinize the multifaceted effects of neoliberal ideologies on education, primarily focusing on the emphasis on Creativity and Innovation while also providing insights into the evolving nature of pedagogical practices. Synthesizing existing illustrates how neoliberal policies shape educational structures and practices. That often prioritizes economic outcomes over the holistic development of students while marginalizing alternative Design Narratives. Hence, this analysis seeks to synthesize perspectives from various scholars, revealing a complex interplay between neoliberal ideologies and design educational practices.

VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Arun Mascarenhas

IDC School of Design, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3059-2567
Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar

IDC School of Design, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

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http://orcid.org/0009-0008-1107-3199
Sugandh Malhotra

IDC School of Design, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

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http://orcid.org/0009-0005-9956-5929

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Mascarenhas, A., Sreekumar, G. V., Malhotra, S. (2025). Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. American Journal of Art and Design, 10(2), 61-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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Mascarenhas, A.; Sreekumar, G. V.; Malhotra, S. Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. Am. J. Art Des. 2025, 10(2), 61-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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AMA Style

Mascarenhas A, Sreekumar GV, Malhotra S. Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India. Am J Art Des. 2025;10(2):61-71. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15,
  author = {Arun Mascarenhas and Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar and Sugandh Malhotra},
  title = {Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India
},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {61-71},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20251002.15},
  abstract = {As an economic and political framework, neoliberalism has significantly influenced global education over the past few decades, reshaping paradigms and practices within educational institutions. Neoliberalism, often referred to as ‘Market Economy,’ is marked by its advocacy for the deregulation of market-driven policies—the commodification of education, which has profoundly impacted various dimensions of education, including Design. Design education in India has undergone an evident transformation since its economic liberalization in 1991, reflecting broader neoliberal trends worldwide. The Design discourse in India was deeply rooted in socially relevant, need-based, and welfare-driven principles in its formative years, aligning closely with the national development agenda and emphasizing collective well-being. However, post-liberalization, the rise of private universities, and an increasing emphasis on market-driven ‘Design Thinking’ have shifted the focus toward neoliberal priorities, forming an ideological gap in design education that contests its foundational ethos. This paper critically examines this significant shift through the lens of ‘neoliberal creativity’ articulated in works like Kevin Gormley. It explores its ramifications on design pedagogy, institutional structures, and the role of creative domains within contemporary India. The literature review aims to scrutinize the multifaceted effects of neoliberal ideologies on education, primarily focusing on the emphasis on Creativity and Innovation while also providing insights into the evolving nature of pedagogical practices. Synthesizing existing illustrates how neoliberal policies shape educational structures and practices. That often prioritizes economic outcomes over the holistic development of students while marginalizing alternative Design Narratives. Hence, this analysis seeks to synthesize perspectives from various scholars, revealing a complex interplay between neoliberal ideologies and design educational practices.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Welfarism to Neoliberal Capitalism: A Critical Evaluation of Design Education Paradigm in India

AU  - Arun Mascarenhas
AU  - Govindan Vivekanandan Sreekumar
AU  - Sugandh Malhotra
Y1  - 2025/05/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
JO  - American Journal of Art and Design
SP  - 61
EP  - 71
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7802
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20251002.15
AB  - As an economic and political framework, neoliberalism has significantly influenced global education over the past few decades, reshaping paradigms and practices within educational institutions. Neoliberalism, often referred to as ‘Market Economy,’ is marked by its advocacy for the deregulation of market-driven policies—the commodification of education, which has profoundly impacted various dimensions of education, including Design. Design education in India has undergone an evident transformation since its economic liberalization in 1991, reflecting broader neoliberal trends worldwide. The Design discourse in India was deeply rooted in socially relevant, need-based, and welfare-driven principles in its formative years, aligning closely with the national development agenda and emphasizing collective well-being. However, post-liberalization, the rise of private universities, and an increasing emphasis on market-driven ‘Design Thinking’ have shifted the focus toward neoliberal priorities, forming an ideological gap in design education that contests its foundational ethos. This paper critically examines this significant shift through the lens of ‘neoliberal creativity’ articulated in works like Kevin Gormley. It explores its ramifications on design pedagogy, institutional structures, and the role of creative domains within contemporary India. The literature review aims to scrutinize the multifaceted effects of neoliberal ideologies on education, primarily focusing on the emphasis on Creativity and Innovation while also providing insights into the evolving nature of pedagogical practices. Synthesizing existing illustrates how neoliberal policies shape educational structures and practices. That often prioritizes economic outcomes over the holistic development of students while marginalizing alternative Design Narratives. Hence, this analysis seeks to synthesize perspectives from various scholars, revealing a complex interplay between neoliberal ideologies and design educational practices.

VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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