Identity politics is a lightning rod in American society. To both its progressive supporters and conservative critics, it is seen as defining the agenda of the Left. Both sides are wrong. Identity politics is not a leftist project. Instead it enables the neoliberal political economy that has caused historic levels of inequality and triggered repression and mass incarceration to deal with the social wreckage. Identity politics is a form of biological essentialism, impeding morality built upon universal humanism and politics ...
Read More
Identity politics is a lightning rod in American society. To both its progressive supporters and conservative critics, it is seen as defining the agenda of the Left. Both sides are wrong. Identity politics is not a leftist project. Instead it enables the neoliberal political economy that has caused historic levels of inequality and triggered repression and mass incarceration to deal with the social wreckage. Identity politics is a form of biological essentialism, impeding morality built upon universal humanism and politics built upon solidarity. Unlike the conservative assaults, this book avoids the trivial and silly pronouncements of identity politics (a term generally avoided in the work as loaded and pejorative). It challenges the following key elements of the Identity, Diversity, and Multiculturalism Program: Diversity as Justice-the most important struggle for justice today is increasing the representation throughout society of individuals from historically marginalized groups by ending discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, and similar characteristics; Colorblindness as Racism-race-neutral solutions to the problems caused by racism are harmful to blacks; Race as Culture-members of different races, specifically blacks and whites in the United States, belong to different cultures; Culture as Virtue-cultures should be respected and celebrated. This book forcefully argues that none of these tenets is-or rather should be-a leftist commitment. For progressives already suspicious of those principles, this work offers a cogent set of responses to the unfounded accusations of racism, sexism, and so on that frequently restrict critical discussion of the topic. For progressives who accept the principles, it poses a challenge: How do you defend them from a leftist critique, one that does not deny the continuing significance of discrimination, rather than from the weaker attacks of the Right? For those on the Right, it represents a threat. The liberal focus on identity allows conservatives to define politics as largely a symbolic project. Once leftists return to their core commitments they will form a powerful movement for political and economic change.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Contains: Illustrations, Illustrations, black & white, Tables. 33 Illustrations including: - 28 Black & White Illustrations; - 5 Tables. Intended for professional and scholarly audience.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 248 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white, Tables. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
