Jesse Singal on Crises in Politics and Social Science

In 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions', Thomas S. Kuhn argues that scientific progress does not occur through a gradual accumulation of facts, but rather through periodic revolutions that disrupt existing paradigms. Kuhn introduces the concept of 'normal science' and 'revolutionary science', where normal science involves puzzle-solving within an established paradigm, and revolutionary science involves a paradigm shift that fundamentally changes the way scientists view the world. He explains that these revolutions are driven by the accumulation of anomalies that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, leading to a crisis and eventually a new paradigm that offers a different perspective and new ways of conducting research.

In The Identity Trap, Yascha Mounk provides a detailed analysis of the intellectual origins of 'wokeness' or 'identity synthesis,' tracing how postmodernism, postcolonialism, and critical race theory influenced this ideology. He explains how these ideas, once marginal, gained significant influence in business, media, and government by 2020. Mounk argues that the application of these ideas to areas such as education and public policy is counterproductive and that universal, humanist values are more effective in achieving true equality. The book offers a balanced and analytical perspective on the appeal and limitations of identity-based politics, proposing an alternative rooted in liberal democracy's highest ideals.