Why Wokeness Failed (Robert Wright & Musa al-Gharbi)

In 'The Credential Society,' Randall Collins argues that the expansion of American education has not increased social mobility but rather created a cycle of credential inflation. Collins examines how credentialing closes high-status professions to new arrivals and how public schools are socializing institutions that teach and reward middle-class values. The book discusses the consequences of credential inflation, including grade inflation, rising educational costs, and misleading job promises. Collins also addresses recent developments and alternative pathways for the future of education in a new preface to the 2019 edition.

In this book, Musa al-Gharbi argues that despite the rise of a new elite who identify as allies of progressive causes such as antiracism, feminism, and LGBTQ rights, social and economic inequalities have continued to grow. These symbolic capitalists, who work primarily with words, ideas, images, and data, genuinely believe in egalitarian principles but inadvertently contribute to and perpetuate the very inequalities they oppose. The book examines how their actions and narratives often provoke backlash against the social justice causes they champion and argues that challenging these self-serving narratives is crucial for addressing social and economic inequality effectively.

In 'Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World,' Anand Giridharadas argues that members of the global elite use their wealth and influence to address social issues in ways that do not fundamentally challenge the systems that perpetuate those issues. The book explores the dynamics between philanthropy, capitalism, and social change, highlighting how market-driven solutions often address symptoms rather than root causes. Giridharadas critiques the limitations of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, suggesting that true social change requires robust, egalitarian institutions and democratic engagement rather than reliance on the benevolence of the wealthy.