Call Me Back - with Dan Senor Jews and Identity Politics - with Yascha Mounk (Part 2)
17 snips
Jan 20, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, Yascha Mounk, a political scientist and author of The Identity Trap, explores the complexities of identity politics and its impact on modern liberalism. He delves into why identity politics is so alluring, how it undermines democratic values and individuality, and the dangers associated with group-based power. Mounk also addresses Jewish identity, highlighting its role in fostering pluralism while cautioning against abandoning universal principles. The conversation is a thought-provoking examination of how identity shapes our society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Universalism Versus Identity Politics
- Yascha Mounk contrasts older liberalism's universalism with today's identity-focused politics that define people by group labels.
- He argues universal principles better protect minorities and foster civic equality than identity-based selection.
Affinity Groups Undermine Civic Bonds
- Mounk warns that affinity groups in schools teach children to see themselves primarily as members of racial groups.
- He says this undermines the goal of building cross-cultural civic friendships in diverse societies.
The Trap Of Group-Based Bargaining
- Mounk describes the 'trap' as abandoning universal rules for group bargaining over access to resources.
- He warns this turns politics into zero-sum ethnic competition that harms marginalized groups long-term.
