Ash Sarkar: Is identity politics rotting the left?
Feb 21, 2025
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Ash Sarkar, author of 'Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War' and a Marxist cultural commentator, delves into the pervasive nature of culture wars in politics. She critiques identity politics, arguing it prioritizes personal grievances over collective struggles, weakening leftist solidarity. Sarkar explores the friction within leftist movements and the historical basis for coalition-building, while discussing media's role in shaping political discourse. The dialogue reveals how shifting priorities may undermine effective political action in today's climate.
Identity politics often distracts from substantial issues, as cultural wars obscure the economic realities faced by the working class.
The media plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions by amplifying trivial events, thus diverting attention from pressing political and economic discussions.
Building a multi-ethnic coalition focused on collective action rather than identity differences is essential for revitalizing leftist movements and achieving change.
Deep dives
The Nature of Minority Rule
The concept of minority rule is explored both in cultural and economic contexts, emphasizing how identity politics often overshadows substantial issues. The discussion posits that while minority groups may assert influence over public discourse, the true power lies with corporations and oligarchs who perpetuate a feudalistic economy. This distortion leads to a focus on less critical issues that distract from the real challenges faced by the working class. Ultimately, this creates a scenario where the voice of the many is manipulated by a wealthy few, an idea that can be traced back to traditional Marxist critiques of capitalism.
Identity Politics and Its Consequences
Identity politics is critiqued for fostering a culture of victimization within progressive movements, which paradoxically hampers solidarity among diverse groups. By prioritizing personal experiences over collective action, the left risks fragmenting its base, leading to a competitive victimhood mentality. This often dissuades potential allies from joining forces due to fears of disrespecting others' unique lived experiences. The call for a shift towards a focus on common goals rather than individual grievances is considered essential for re-establishing effective leftist activism.
The Role of Media in Cultural Distraction
The media is depicted as a vital player in shaping public perceptions, often elevating trivial issues to distract from significant political and economic discussions. The phenomenon of 'micro-events' is identified as instances where media coverage disproportionately exaggerates negligible incidents, consuming public attention. This approach serves to perpetuate divisive narratives and fosters an environment saturated with outrage, diverting focus from systemic problems. The critique extends to both mainstream and social media, suggesting they collaborate in creating a noise that undermines serious political discourse.
Navigating Cultural Battles
The left's engagement with cultural issues is characterized by a disorganized response to right-wing challenges, particularly regarding issues like trans rights and sports. It is argued that instead of strategically addressing these issues, the left has gotten bogged down by reacting to provocations by the right, often losing the narrative. This demonstrates a failure to cultivate a cohesive message that resonates with the broader population; instead, the focus remains on niche debates that do not address the concerns of the majority. The need for a focused strategy in tackling such cultural discussions without alienating potential allies is highlighted as crucial for the left's future.
Building a Unified Left Coalition
The discussion envisions a path for creating a multi-ethnic coalition encompassing various socioeconomic backgrounds, potentially galvanizing the left to achieve political change. This coalition would include the working class, small-town voters, and progressive graduates, united by a mutual disdain for the current political landscape. Emphasizing anti-politics and economic populism can help bridge cultural gaps, fostering collaboration across traditional divides. The idea is to work towards a political framework that prioritizes collective action over identity differences, reminiscent of successful historical movements.
Right now, culture wars seem to punctuate every moment of our daily lives. Politicising more and more and dividing people over issues both big and small. How have culture wars embedded themselves in so deeply in our politics? What if they are part of a wider design to keep the rich powerful? And how damaging have identity politics been for the left?
Ash Sarkar sat down with Lewis to discuss these questions, which are at the heart of her new book 'Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War'.
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