Reframing the History of the Competition Concept: Neoliberalism, Meritocracy, Modernity

This paper reframes the concept of competition, arguing that recent tendencies to frame it in context neoliberalism are too narrow grasp its full significance. We need see how operates well beyond capitalist economy, as a social and not just theoretical concept. I contextualise deeper history, going back eighteenth century, beginning with an empirical examination development English language dictionaries encyclopaedias, using method ‘conceptual history’. show concept, grammatical forms, characteristic associations have evolved substantially since century. finding is placed broader explanatory context, combined rise set core institutions modernity, capitalism but also democracy, adversarial law, science, civil society, deeply embeds competition modern world. The decline aristocratic religious authority, national subordination martial power, opened way for more ‘liberal’ forms society which authority routinely contested through across politics, culture beliefs. Appreciating this necessary step towards truly grappling effects on life.