Potential Solutions to Fix Mass Indoctrination | Eric Kaufmann | EP 453
Added: Jun 7, 2024
In this podcast episode, Doctor Eric Kaufman, a Canadian author and professor at the University of Buckingham, discusses his new book "The Third Awokening". He delves into the concept of the "awokening" as a continuation of left liberalism and progressive ideas that have evolved over the past century. He defines "woke" as the making sacred of historically marginalized race, gender, and sexual identity groups, leading to a moral order where these groups are protected from offense and strive for equality in prestigious positions and resources.
The Evolution of Woke Ideology
Kaufman traces the roots of the current woke ideology back to the late 1960s, with movements like the Black Panthers and demands for black studies in universities. He identifies subsequent waves of awakening in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and post-2010, each building on the idea of making certain identities sacred. He emphasizes the emotional nature of this ideology, driven by attachments to specific marginalized groups rather than a systematic set of ideas like Marxism.
Factors Influencing Woke Beliefs
Kaufman discusses various factors influencing the adoption of woke beliefs, including liberal progressivism, compassion, and emotional attachment to marginalized groups. He also touches on the role of gender, particularly the increased support for woke ideology among young women. He notes a shift in women's political priorities around 2004, coinciding with changes in political donations and the influence of elite institutions promoting woke values.
Female Dominance in Woke Culture
The conversation delves into the impact of female dominance in academia, especially in the humanities and social sciences, on the propagation of woke ideology. Kaufman explores the idea of misplaced maternal instinct driving young women's sensitivity towards marginalized groups and their alignment with the elite's moral order. He suggests that women may reinforce dominant values in society, even if it goes against their own interests, due to the pervasive influence of woke ideology in educational and institutional settings.
Influence of Education and Media
Kaufman highlights the role of the education system in promoting critical race theory concepts and shaping young people's beliefs. He mentions the saturation of woke ideology in schools and institutions, leading to its normalization among the younger generation. The impact of social media platforms like TikTok in amplifying woke narratives and influencing campus protests is also discussed, with a focus on how these platforms target compassion for marginalized groups.
The Influence of K-12 Education
Kaufman emphasizes the importance of K-12 education in shaping individuals' beliefs and values. He conducted a study with Zack Goldberg, which revealed that exposure to critical race and gender theory concepts in high school significantly influenced students' attitudes towards issues like white privilege, systemic racism, and affirmative action. He points out that young people are forming their beliefs early on and that these beliefs tend to be sticky and carried into adulthood.
The Role of Schools in Cultural Change
Kaufman stresses the need for conservative politicians to prioritize K-12 education as a means of countering the influence of left liberalism. He argues that the current cultural shift towards political correctness and identity politics is largely driven by the exposure to these concepts in schools. By changing the culture in schools, he believes it is possible to steer society away from the extreme ideologies promoted by the left.
The Rise of Sacred Identities
Kaufman delves into the concept of sacred identities, which have replaced traditional religious values in modern society. He explains how race, gender, and sexuality have become the new sacred axioms, around which individuals form their beliefs and values. The shift towards these sacred identities is attributed to the Civil Rights Movement and the subsequent redistribution of cultural power.
The Influence of Psychopathology
Kaufman discusses the interplay between sociology and psychopathology, particularly in relation to personality disorders like antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. He highlights how individuals with these disorders use claims of victimization to manipulate and obtain power, often exploiting guilt and empathy to further their agendas. He warns of the dangers posed by individuals with cluster B personality traits, who may exploit social media to engage in psychopathic manipulation.
The Limits of Left Liberalism
Kaufman critiques the lack of boundaries within left liberalism, particularly in the realms of diversity, equality, and inclusion. He argues that the ideology of left liberalism lacks guardrails when it comes to cultural issues, leading to a constant push for greater equality and inclusivity without clear limits. He highlights the evolutionary ratcheting effect within left liberalism, where demands for equality and diversity continue to escalate without defined boundaries.
The Influence of Ideology in Education
Kaufman discusses the pervasive influence of neo-Marxist ideologies in educational institutions, leading to a push for more diversity, inclusivity, and equality without considering the negative impacts of excessive diversity. He criticizes the concept of self-esteem, arguing that it is based on flawed constructs and perpetuated by social psychologists. He highlights the need to challenge ideological indoctrination in schools and universities to ensure a balanced and politically neutral approach to education.
Challenges in Implementing Change
The conversation delves into the challenges of implementing change in the education system, particularly in the face of powerful teachers' unions and entrenched ideological beliefs. Kaufman acknowledges the difficulty of reforming institutions that have been deeply influenced by leftist ideologies but suggests strategies such as model curricula and political interventions to promote accountability and balance in education. He advocates for the involvement of elected governments in overseeing and reforming educational practices to ensure political neutrality and prevent indoctrination.
Strategies for Reform
Kaufman proposes practical strategies for reforming the education system, including the adoption of model curricula developed by organizations like the National Association of Scholars. He emphasizes the need for political will and accountability in demanding a balanced curriculum and monitoring educational practices. He suggests measures such as defunding courses that promote critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion in universities and creating new institutions to oversee academic freedom and political neutrality.
Philosophical Justification for Neutrality
In response to the postmodernist argument that institutional neutrality is a guise for imposing alternative power structures, Kaufman defends the concept of political neutrality based on the principle of human flourishing. He argues that a balanced approach to diversity, equality, and inclusion should be aimed at maximizing societal well-being rather than promoting a specific ideology. He believes that promoting trust in the education system and ensuring political neutrality are essential for fostering a healthy and productive society.
Facing Attacks
Kaufman shares his personal experience of facing attacks from Twitter mobs, open letters, and internal investigations after openly criticizing the social justice movement. Despite the risks involved, Kaufman believes it is essential to speak out against woke culture to prevent further polarization and populism in society.
The Impact of Woke Culture on Trust and Freedom
The conversation delves into the broader implications of woke culture on trust, freedom, and economic policies. Kaufman argues that the erosion of trust in institutions due to politicization and polarization can hinder the enactment of rational economic policies. He stresses the importance of maintaining a level of civic trust for the functioning of freedom and democracy. Additionally, he points out that cultural socialism, driven by the push for equal outcomes based on race and gender, can lead to a poorer culture and hinder cultural growth.
The Need for a New Vision
Kaufman advocates for a new vision that prioritizes human flourishing and overcomes cultural socialism. He suggests finding a balance between equality and growth in cultural wealth, similar to the balance needed in economic policies. By addressing cultural socialism and setting guardrails to prevent its unchecked influence, society can work towards a more balanced and prosperous cultural landscape.
The Intersection of Culture and Politics
Kaufman emphasizes the interconnectedness of culture and politics, highlighting how cultural issues such as immigration, affirmative action, and historical narratives can shape political discourse and influence public opinion. He underscores the importance of addressing these cultural issues to prevent further polarization and populism in society. He urges conservative politicians to prioritize cultural issues and organize effectively to push back against woke culture and its detrimental effects on trust and freedom.
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