Which is most important, identity politics or economics?
For me both matter but the latter has the most impact. I'll read any long answers.
41-45, M
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CaptainCanadia · 41-45, M
I think that focusing entirely on one or the other is a mistake because at the end it's all politics viewed through different lenses. Despite being an avowed feminist and anti-racism, I feel that identity politics misses the forest for the trees. An economics focus tends to miss that our entire concept of economy is based on free market theories and ideology. It presents an inherently political idea as an apolitical science.
It's all integrated. Oppressed peoples are economically oppressed... and yet economies are influenced by cultural motives. Like, why are there black people in poverty in the US? The historical slavery that's at the root of it is both economic and cultural - you justify an economy through cultural ideas of racism.
Everyone needs their own view and analysis. I certainly look at economy and 'class' first, but it's all important.
It's all integrated. Oppressed peoples are economically oppressed... and yet economies are influenced by cultural motives. Like, why are there black people in poverty in the US? The historical slavery that's at the root of it is both economic and cultural - you justify an economy through cultural ideas of racism.
Everyone needs their own view and analysis. I certainly look at economy and 'class' first, but it's all important.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
Excellent answer. I agree that they are integrated and would emphasise that cultural issues do primary stem from economic conditions. I think the liberal left had messed up by abandoning economics in recent decades, particularly in Britain and the US.
Are you an NDP supporter?
Are you an NDP supporter?
CaptainCanadia · 41-45, M
It's complicated. I vote for them but supporter would be strong - they've given up any kind of socialist roots to be left-leaning neoliberals and I'm too left wing for them. That said, I come from a family of hard NDP supporters and live in Alberta which is Canada's conservative heartland. They're now in power in Alberta (after a history of nothing but right wing rule), and it's fascinating to watch them sell out their ideals - while still doing some good stuff.
If you press me I'd identify as an anarcho-syndicalist, but tend to behave like a conventional social democrat. The NDP have social democrat roots, but they lost those a decade ago.
If you press me I'd identify as an anarcho-syndicalist, but tend to behave like a conventional social democrat. The NDP have social democrat roots, but they lost those a decade ago.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
Our politics are very similar. I am a Labour member and on the left of the party. I am also something of a syndicalist at heart but I am campaigning for left social democracy as a more realistic mid term option.