The Gray Area with Sean Illing In defense of white-backlash politics
Apr 15, 2019
Eric Kaufmann, author of "Whiteshift," explores the complexities of white identity in an era of demographic change. He argues that the backlash against these shifts is driving right-wing populism globally. Kaufmann discusses the importance of slowing demographic changes to ease societal fears and navigates the delicate balance between nationalism and diversity. The conversation highlights the need for nuanced dialogue around identity and belonging while addressing the rising complexities of political dynamics in America.
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Demographic Change and Political Conflict
- The core political conflict is about demographic change and the white backlash.
- This conflict rarely gets addressed directly, instead, its manifestations become political battlegrounds.
Responses to Diversity
- Rising diversity triggers both conservatism, a desire for the future to resemble the past, and authoritarianism, a preference for order over change.
- These responses, while distinct, often intersect in political conflicts.
Left Modernism
- Left modernism blends cultural leftism with anti-traditionalism, emphasizing novelty and difference over tradition.
- This ideology, amplified by universities and media, clashes with the identities of many within conservative white majorities.
