What Sparked the Great Awokening

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.

In *Dream Hoarders*, Richard V. Reeves argues that the significant class divide in American society is not between the top 1% and the rest, but rather between the upper middle class (the top 20% of earners) and everyone else. He contends that this group engages in 'opportunity hoarding' through practices such as legacy admissions, zoning laws, and occupational licensing, which reduce social mobility for lower- and middle-class individuals. Reeves proposes several solutions, including ending legacy admissions and reforming tax policies, to promote a more equitable society. The book emphasizes the need for the upper middle class to recognize and address their role in perpetuating inequality[2][3][5].

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.