Coercive Neoliberalism and Post-9/11 Hegemony: A Critique of Western Power and Resistance in The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Abstract

This research aims to explore how Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist critiques the coercive nature of Western neoliberalism. Neoliberalism, marked by free trade, deregulation, and privatisation, is supposed to benefit Western transnational elites. In the post-9/11 era, dissent against neoliberalism is frequently met with coercion. The United States has spearheaded what can be termed aggressive neoliberalism, enforcing it through political, military, and ideological means. The Reluctant Fundamentalist engages with these issues, exposing the coercive policies of Western neoliberalism and its impact on Muslim communities. The novel utilizes allegory, symbolism, and the protagonist’s opposition to reveal both overt and subtle resistance to hegemonic power. This study employs qualitative textual analysis to interpret the novel as a cultural and political critique, linking its themes to real-world geopolitics. It highlights how neoliberal policies contribute to resistance and anti-American sentiment, offering a basis for further exploration of Anglophone Pakistani fiction and its response to neoliberal globalisation.