New Books in Critical Theory

We Have Never Been Woke: A Conversation with Musa al-Gharbi

Apr 3, 2025

Musa al-Gharbi, sociologist and assistant professor at Stony Brook University, tackles compelling questions about social capitalism and its disconnect from true equality. He critiques the 'symbolic capital elite' in his new book, exploring how their good intentions often clash with real-world outcomes. The discussion dives into the political divide among medical professionals and examines the evolving meaning of 'wokeness,' illustrating the cultural tensions between social justice aspirations and elite values. Al-Gharbi's insights challenge listeners to rethink their understanding of privilege and progress.

45:37

Episode guests

Musa al-Gharbi

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Quick takeaways

Symbolic capitalism highlights how professionals derive social value from their roles, influencing political leanings beyond traditional class structures.

The performative nature of wokeness in advocating for social justice often undermines genuine engagement with the working-class communities it claims to represent.

Deep dives

Understanding Symbolic Capitalism

Symbolic capitalism is defined as a social group that derives value not from producing tangible goods but from manipulating symbols and information. This group includes professionals such as journalists, academics, and consultants who negotiate their worth through a form of capital that is non-tactile. The dynamics explored show that this economic framework is a strong predictor of political associations, suggesting that class structures are becoming less relevant in today's socio-political climate. This shift indicates a more profound relationship between political alignment and the nature of one's work rather than solely their income.

Intro

2min

Critical Reflections on Social Justice Narratives

2min

Understanding Symbolic Capitalists in the Knowledge Economy

3min

The Political Divide Between Physicians and Surgeons

3min

Bridging Labor: Insights from the Manual to the Symbolic

6min

Understanding Wokeness: Definitions and Implications

28min

Why does occupation reliably predict political leanings? What is social capitalism, and how does it span income classes? If social capitalists are sincerely committed to equality and “wokeness,” why do they simultaneously benefit from—and perpetuate—the very inequalities they denounce?

Join us as we dive into Musa al-Gharbi’s provocative new book, We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite (Princeton University Press, 2024). We explore al-Gharbi’s central argument: the disconnect between the stated values of the "symbolic capital elite" and the real-world consequences of their actions, despite their genuine intentions. Al-Gharbi draws parallels to past "great awakenings"—periods of profound cultural upheaval and shifting attitudes toward civil rights. We also examine whether defining "wokeness" is essential to his thesis, and al-Gharbi clarifies some of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of his work.

Musa al-Gharbi is a sociologist and assistant professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. A columnist for The Guardian, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and other major publications.

Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

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