The Ezra Klein Show Fareed Zakaria Thinks Steve Bannon Got One Thing Right
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Nov 21, 2025 
Fareed Zakaria, a renowned journalist and author, shares insights from his book, 'Age of Revolutions.' He discusses the cultural shifts in politics, highlighting how the Tea Party marked a change from economic to cultural divides. Zakaria analyzes how social media has empowered extreme voices, and the need for the left to adopt a more populist tone to reconnect with the working class. He warns of the dangers of ethno-nationalism in right-wing politics and stresses the importance of treating people with dignity in addressing community issues.
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Politics Shifted From Economics To Culture
- Fareed Zakaria argues we're in a new political age where cultural identity trumps old left-right economic divides.
- He traces this to insurgencies like the Tea Party and the erosion of gatekeeper elites after the 2008 crash.
The New Open‑Versus‑Closed Political Axis
- Zakaria describes a realignment where higher-income voters now tilt left and lower-income voters tilt right, driven by cultural questions.
- He frames the new axis as open versus closed on immigration, trade, and multiculturalism.
Tech Transforms Political Hierarchies
- Zakaria links media technology shifts to political upheaval, comparing radio's role in the 1920s–30s to social media today.
- He argues distributed algorithmic networks collapse hierarchy and amplify extreme voices.
