System Update with Glenn Greenwald
Life-Long Leftist Philosopher Susan Neiman on how Wokeism Assaults and Subverts Traditional Left-Wing Politics
Mar 21, 2025
Susan Neiman, an accomplished philosopher and author, dives deep into the distinctions between traditional leftist values and contemporary woke culture. She critiques how the right weaponizes antisemitism and discusses the validity of Enlightenment ideals in modern politics. Neiman argues that the left must shift focus from identity politics back to broader justice principles. She also tackles the individualism that has replaced collectivism and calls for a resurgence in addressing economic inequalities to truly engage voters.
01:13:37
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Quick takeaways
- Wokeism undermines traditional leftist principles by promoting divisiveness and identity politics, detracting from collective struggles against economic inequalities.
- The shift in leftist focus from class issues to identity politics post-1991 has diluted the movement's original values and purpose.
Deep dives
Understanding Modern Political Labels
The distinction between anti-establishment and pro-establishment perspectives is increasingly relevant in American politics, overshadowing traditional labels like left and right. The speaker believes that these conventional terms have lost their clarity and usefulness due to their radically shifting meanings over the decades, particularly influenced by movements like MAGA and the rise of Donald Trump. This shift has led to confusion as many American liberals, who once embodied anti-establishment views, have aligned themselves more closely with established institutions. The notion that contemporary politics can be effectively categorized only by these traditional labels has become more obfuscating than enlightening.
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