Freddie deBoer, a writer and academic, discusses the identitarian takeover of the left, how elites infiltrate grassroots movements, and the importance of class in his book 'How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement' on The Brendan O'Neill Show. The podcast explores the implementation of social justice, questioning reality and politics, capitalist co-option of leftist movements, the importance of specific demands in activism, the debate between class and race in politics, and the future of progressive politics.
Identity politics has shifted political discourse towards personal identities, narrowing the focus on class issues.
The capitalist class has incorporated social justice movements and identity politics without challenging economic inequalities.
Class analysis is essential for achieving meaningful political change and should not be reduced to an exclusive or racist identity.
Deep dives
The Influence of Identity Politics on Politics
The podcast discusses how politics has shifted from being about big structural forces to being about personal identities. This shift can be seen in the rise of social justice movements and woke culture, which focus on personal experiences of oppression and create a culture of extreme emotionalism and canceling. The podcast argues that this shift has led to a narrowing of political discourse and a lack of focus on class issues.
Elite Capture and Incorporation of Social Movements
The podcast explores how the capitalist class has successfully incorporated social justice movements and identity politics into their activities. It notes that large corporations embrace woke language and gestures without significantly changing economic inequalities or challenging their own dominance. This has led to the emergence of symbolic gestures and performative activism, allowing the elites to maintain the status quo while appearing socially conscious.
The Importance of Class and its Misunderstandings
The podcast emphasizes the significance of class in political analysis and strategy. It argues that class should be a primary focus because it represents the majority and is essential for achieving meaningful political change. The discussion challenges the notion that class analysis is exclusive or racist, highlighting the intersectional nature of economic issues. It critiques the reduction of class to an identity and emphasizes the importance of addressing economic problems that impact people across various racial backgrounds.
The Rise and Fall of Black Lives Matter
The podcast episode explores the rise and fall of the Black Lives Matter movement. It discusses how the movement gained popularity and cultural influence, particularly among the younger generation who saw it as a way to be seen as cool and progressive. However, the episode also highlights the issues with the movement's organizations and the mismanagement of the massive amount of donations received. It points out that there is a growing sense of betrayal and criticism among black activists towards the Black Lives Matter brand. Additionally, the episode touches on the phenomenon of the liberal response to tragedies or political demands by hiring people and spending money, which has led to the proliferation of diversity positions filled by upwardly mobile people of color.
The Challenges of Identity Politics and the Working Class
The podcast episode delves into the challenges posed by identity politics and its relationship with the working class. It emphasizes how certain sections of the social justice movement, particularly upper-class liberals, tend to look down upon the working class, often perceiving them as racist or lacking in knowledge. This perspective creates a divide and weakens the possibility for a class-based politics that truly represents the concerns of working people. The episode also highlights the need to move beyond the simplistic moralization of capitalism and imperialism in critiquing the system. Instead, a more structural analysis of social relations and power dynamics is necessary. It addresses the tension between the anti-woke sentiment and the need to establish a positive and progressive politics that can genuinely engage and resonate with the larger public.
Writer and academic Freddie deBoer joins Brendan O’Neill on the latest episode of The Brendan O’Neill Show to talk about Freddie’s new book, How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement. They discuss the identitarian takeover of the left, how the elites infiltrate grassroots movements, and why class still matters.
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