Tracing the Roots of the Ideological Movement (Formerly) Known as Wokeness
Sep 13, 2023
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Johns Hopkins University professor Yascha Mounk explores the origins of 'wokeness' and its rejection of liberalism and Marxism. They discuss the influence of Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, as well as the impact of social media on self-chosen identities and the difficulty of making counterarguments in that space.
Wokeness rejects colorblindness, individualism, and the promise of a better future through Marxism.
The identity trap, influenced by figures like Michel Foucault, criticizes both liberalism and Marxism, aiming for division rather than universal reconciliation.
The internet, despite initial promises of connection and understanding, has facilitated the formation of echo chambers and like-minded groups.
Deep dives
The Identity Trap and the Challenge of Describing Wokeness
The podcast episode discusses the struggle to accurately describe the ideological movement known as wokeness or social justice fanaticism. The guest, book author and scholar Yasha Monk, introduces the concept of the identity synthesis, which he argues is at the core of wokeness. He explains that wokeness rejects the colorblindness, free speech, and individualism promoted by liberalism, as well as the promise of a better future through Marxism. In this identity synthesis, wealthy privileged people engage in debates about pronoun usage and race quotas for casting, while perpetuating a dystopian vision of perpetual suffering for marginalized groups. Monk's goal is not to denounce this ideology, but rather to understand its origins and help leftists find their way back to the path of liberalism.
The Difference Between Marxism and the Identity Trap
Monk highlights the differences between Marxism and the identity trap. While Marxism focuses on class struggle and the promise of a better future without societal divisions, the identity trap revolves around identity and rejects the notion of a post-racial society. This movement, rooted in the ideas of figures like Michel Foucault, criticizes both liberalism and Marxism. Unlike Marxism, the identity trap does not aim for universal reconciliation among groups. Furthermore, Monk argues that critical race theory, a component of the identity trap, explicitly opposes the principles of the civil rights movement. He also mentions how critical race theory members perceive Barack Obama's vision of a post-racial society as fundamentally at odds with their ideology.
The Influence of Digital Technology on Democracy and Identity Formation
The podcast explores the impact of digital technology on democracy, particularly in relation to the formation of identities. Monk reflects on his initial optimism about the internet's potential to connect people and foster understanding. However, he observes that social media platforms like Tumblr facilitated the self-organization of individuals based on specific identity categories. This led to the proliferation of diverse identities, particularly in terms of gender and sexuality. The governing ideology of the identity trap emerged on Tumblr, providing a platform for communication among individuals with different identities. The podcast also highlights how the internet, contrary to its initial promises, has contributed to the formation of echo chambers and the reinforcement of like-minded groups.
Foucault and the Panopticon: The Danger of Self-Discipline in the Age of Social Media
Foucault, known for his theories on power in discourse, would be disturbed by the parallels between social media and the panopticon, a prison model where prisoners self-regulate due to constant surveillance. In today's public sphere, people are in a constant state of self-discipline and anticipatory obedience, fearing punishment for the wrong tweet or like. The tools of discipline and power have become more potent, a concern shared by other intellectuals like Edward Saidid and Gayatri Spivak. Spivak introduces the concept of strategic essentialism, accepting the limitations of identity categories but using essentialist accounts to advocate for marginalized groups. This idea has influenced current discussions on race and identity, leading to debates on its philosophical contradictions and strategic implications.
Derek Bell and the Critique of Civil Rights Liberalism
Derek Bell, viewed as a precursor to critical race theory, criticized the limitations of desegregation efforts in achieving true equality. Bell argued that desegregating schools did not necessarily address the underlying issues faced by black students, such as inadequate resources and unequal treatment. This critique of civil rights liberalism questions the effectiveness of race-blind approaches and emphasizes the importance of tangible improvements in education and opportunities for marginalized groups.
Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Johns Hopkins University professor Yascha Mounk about the role of Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak in shaping today’s illiberal, identity-fixated political mantras—and how we can help lead progressives back to their liberal roots.
