15 Dec Neoliberalism and self-help – Part 3: Rediscovering Connection and Humanism (a more human approach)
If neoliberalism privatised happiness, then the path forward lies in reclaiming it as a shared human experience. The antidote to hyper-individualism is not more self-optimisation, but a renewed focus on humanism, compassion, and interconnectedness.
Humanistic psychology, founded by thinkers like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasised empathy, authenticity, and growth within relationships. It saw humans not as productivity machines but as meaning-seeking beings. In this tradition, healing is not just about fixing the self — it’s about nurturing the relationships and systems that support it.
Recent research in social and positive psychology supports this shift. Studies consistently show that strong social connections are the single most reliable predictor of happiness and longevity (Harvard Study of Adult Development, 2017). Compassion-based interventions, such as loving-kindness meditation, reduce stress and increase wellbeing more sustainably than self-focused goals. And community-based mental health models — from group therapy to peer-support networks — show that collective care often outperforms isolated self-improvement.
A humanistic approach also recognises the role of structure. Policies that ensure housing, healthcare, and social connection are not just “economic” — they are psychological. As psychologist Tim Kasser notes, when people’s basic material and relational needs are met, they naturally orient toward intrinsic values: connection, creativity, and contribution.
This isn’t to dismiss personal growth — self-awareness and responsibility remain powerful. But they flourish best within systems that honour shared humanity. The future of self-help could evolve from “help yourself” to “help each other thrive.”
In other words, real wellbeing isn’t a solo achievement. It’s a collective practice — built on empathy, equality, and belonging. Reclaiming that truth might just be the most radical act of self-help we can imagine.