Understanding the Roots of Identity Politics

The podcast episode discusses the origins of identity politics, tracing it back to the intellectual history of Michel Foucault in post-war Paris. Foucault rejected Marxism and other grand narratives, advocating for a focus on discourse analysis and the power dynamics of identity categories. The rise of identity politics outside of academia was facilitated by the short march through the institutions, where like-minded individuals entered influential positions in universities, nonprofits, and tech companies. Tumblr played a significant role in popularizing these ideas, allowing for the organization and dissemination of identity-based movements. However, the episode cautions against the negative consequences of identity politics, highlighting the dangers of strategic essentialism and the erosion of universal values.