A Critical Analysis of the Concept of the World’s Most Liveable City. Auckland: A Case Study

Abstract

This paper critically examines the concept of the “world’s most liveable city” through the case of Auckland, situating it within global neoliberal political discourse and ideological constructs. Drawing on Lacanian theory of “utopian fantasies” and Žižek’s notion of the “sublime object of ideology,” the study argues that the pursuit of liveability rankings, such as those promoted by Mercers, represents an unattainable and ideological fantasy. While such visions may provide inspiration and direction, they risk marginalising diverse urban needs, particularly affordable living, and primarily benefit elites reinforcing the neoliberal order. The analysis explores three dimensions: the global neoliberal framework behind liveability competition, the criteria defining