Increased stratification and declining social mobility. A crisis of expertise. The rise of “populist” leaders. Heightened tensions around “identity politics.” Growing affective polarization. Political dealignments and realignments. These are not separate phenomena, they’re fronts in a broader struggle over which communities, stakeholders, lines of work, lifestyles and cultures are valued in contemporary society – and… Continue reading Book Announcement: Those People
Tag: Inequality
LGBT Identity, Elites, and Inequality
Beginning in the period between the world wars, and accelerating over the last half-century, the global economic order and political sphere have been restructured to the benefit of a category of people I call “symbolic capitalists.” Who are symbolic capitalists? Folks who make a living from what they know, who they know, and how they’re known. People who work in fields… Continue reading LGBT Identity, Elites, and Inequality
How We Lived in NYC
Media outlets consistently publish pieces about symbolic capitalists who understand and describe themselves as poor, or struggling, or barely getting by, or broke (e.g. here, here, here)– often despite healthy six figure incomes and/or low expenses (because they’re childless and either single or partnered with someone who works and whose income supplements their own rather… Continue reading How We Lived in NYC
Why Awokenings Devolve Into Culture Wars
In his 1976 The Coming of Post-industrial Society, sociologist Daniel Bell highlighted how changes to the global economy were leading to the emergence of a new social order—one driven by a “knowledge economy,” dominated by technical elites, and highly stratified on the basis of factors like intellectual acumen and academic credentials. Meanwhile, he argued, the labor… Continue reading Why Awokenings Devolve Into Culture Wars
The Absurd Spectacle at Columbia Occludes the Grim Realities of Gaza
To understand broad trends, it can often be helpful to dig into a particular case. With respect to the tumult over the encampments protesting the U.S. backed Israeli offensive in Gaza, it would be hard to find a more illuminating example than Columbia University. Here, we can clearly observe students’ sincere but contradictory concern for… Continue reading The Absurd Spectacle at Columbia Occludes the Grim Realities of Gaza
Bill and Hillary Clinton Revolutionized U.S. Politics (Twice)
Joe Biden’s approval rating has been consistently underwater for most of his presidency. Although there has been a bit of improvement, the president continues to trail Trump in most swing states. Eager to turn around his fortunes, Biden has sought to enlist the Clintons into his reelection bid – starting with Hillary, who hosted a… Continue reading Bill and Hillary Clinton Revolutionized U.S. Politics (Twice)
It’s the (Knowledge) Economy, Stupid
The biggest divide in American politics at present is not along the lines of socioeconomic status (SES), nor educational attainment, nor type (urban, suburban, small town, rural), nor gender – although these factors all serve as important proxies for the distinction that matters most. The key schism that lies at the heart of dysfunction within… Continue reading It’s the (Knowledge) Economy, Stupid
Education and Privilege Laundering
We’ve recently concluded another graduation season. The annual ritual wherein professors and deans, decked out in their wizard regalia, engage in a collective mystification of contemporary inequalities. By the end of the ceremony, diplomas in hand after four years of striving, graduates will come to believe they “deserve” the relatively comfortable jobs, above-average (dual) incomes,… Continue reading Education and Privilege Laundering
U.S. College Professors Do Not Well-Represent the Rest of America
Tenured and tenure-track college professors are drawn from a narrow and idiosyncratic slice of society. Many backgrounds and perspectives are dramatically underrepresented in the academy. This gulf between the ivory tower and the rest of society undermines knowledge production, pedagogy, and public trust in experts and scientific claims. A new study published in Nature Human Behavior argues that, at its current rate of change,… Continue reading U.S. College Professors Do Not Well-Represent the Rest of America
The Loneliest Americans
Jay Caspian Kang’s life story is both extraordinary and somewhat normal for families like his. That’s kind of the point. His parents’ family had roots in North Korea, although they fled to the South in the leadup and aftermath of what is known in America as the ‘Korean War.’ Upon getting married, and for very… Continue reading The Loneliest Americans
Book Announcement: We Have Never Been Woke
I am thrilled to be able to officially announce that my book, We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite has been acquired by Princeton University Press and is slated for release on October 8, 2024. Huge shoutout to my agent, Andrew Stuart. Much love to PUP Executive Editor Meagan Levinson, who was… Continue reading Book Announcement: We Have Never Been Woke
College, Inequality and African Americans: Change and Continuity
At the turn of the 20th Century, WEB DuBois’ hoped a ‘Talented Tenth’ would eventually emerge from institutions of higher learning and leverage their social capital to lift up their peers. Putting social solidarity above their own interests, they would dedicate their efforts primarily to leading and empowering other people of color. Today, DuBois’ vision… Continue reading College, Inequality and African Americans: Change and Continuity
On the ‘Great Awokening’ and Racial Realities
Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new?’ Already it has existed for ages which were before us. There is no remembrance of earlier things; and also, of the later things which will occur, there will be for them no remembrance among those who come later still.” Ecclesiastes 1: 10-11… Continue reading On the ‘Great Awokening’ and Racial Realities
Why Reflexivity is Important for Research and Activism
In a recent essay for Public Seminar, I explored Amy Cooper’s attempts to sic police on a black man for telling her to leash her dog. I argued that her actions should not be understood as novel or surprising, and explained how her likely (liberal) sociopolitical orientation may have contributed to how the confrontation played… Continue reading Why Reflexivity is Important for Research and Activism
‘Karen’ is a Democrat
Amy Cooper was asked to put her pet on a leash, in accordance with city ordinance. Rather than simply complying with the rules, Ms. Cooper tried to sic the police on the person who pointed out her violation – feigning to be in imminent danger from an ‘African American man.’ Fortunately, the man accused of… Continue reading ‘Karen’ is a Democrat