Without Donald, We Wouldn’t Have This Book! Wait….What?
“Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” is a book by Francis Fukuyama. He makes the bold statement at the first of the book that without the two surprise elections that year in Britain and in America he wouldn’t have written this book at all! This book looks at the concept of identity politics that has completely taken over our current society. It provides a detailed look on the impact of identity which is a key to our political culture. He also explains how different cultures are fighting to be not only recognized but appreciated. This book allows readers to understand the different identities in politics which is a quite complex task in itself. Fukuyama explores the complex world of identity politics and its impact on modern society. Fukuyama presents an analysis to address the significance of identity in developing political movements, highlighting the struggle for recognition and dignity among many cultures. Before I could begin to read this book I had to go back to the beginning of Identity Politics as a whole to understand where he was coming from.
What even is Identity Politics:
According to Fukuyama, identity politics has matured into a powerful force in modern cultures, influencing political discourse and driving collective action. He traces the origins of identity politics to social movements in the 1960s that sought to address the particular needs of marginalized groups. These movements were and are driven by a desire for recognition and dignity, which ignites their demands for equal rights and social fairness. Where did this word come from? Although the origins were first brought about in the 60’s, the word itself was first used in political discourse in 1977 by a Black feminist group called Combahee River Collective. Since that initial time, it has been used countless times, in scenarios, books, and is a new backbone for understanding
How has the book influenced the political landscape in front of us:
Fukuyama looks at how the rise of identity politics has assisted societal division and the deterioration of democratic principles. According to him, when political speech is focused on identity rather than policy, meaningful conversation suffers and democratic processes as a whole will fail. He also looks into the intersections of identity politics and economic grievances, underlining the possibility of society disintegration and fury.
How can we solve this debacle in Fukuyama’s eyes:
In response to the challenges raised by identity politics, Fukuyama proposes a solution based on an integrative national identity. He thinks that cultivating a creedal sense of a national identity that brings together smaller groups into a larger whole can help not only reduce resentment politics but also foster a more cohesive society. Fukuyama argues that countries may overcome the divisiveness generated by identity politics by emphasizing shared values and a shared vision for the future.
With every good thing, there tends to be disagreements and criticism. His book is no different:
While “Identity” has sparked important conversations to come to head about the role of identity in politics, it has also sparked criticism and controversy from a variety of sources. Some argue that by disregarding the underlying inequalities that support identity politics, Fukuyama fails to address the persistent hurdles that excluded groups face. According to some blogs that I found online, some have questioned the feasibility and potential repercussions of developing a unified national identity that ignores varied populations’ diverse experiences and histories. I wonder though… How do we measure this? Can we?
How is this relevant in today’s terms:
Fukuyama’s book sheds light on current political processes in an era of rising polarization, societal fragmentation, and identity-based movements. His research invites readers to critically assess the role of identity in democratic processes, which highlights the significance of inclusive politics that combines a recognition of needs with a sense of common purpose for all.
In my opinion, it is a thought-provoking exploration of the significance of identity in the formation of political movements and societal dynamics no matter which side of politics you rest upon. While the book has gotten both positive and negative reviews alike, it is an important contribution to the ongoing debate over identity politics and its impact on democracy. He challenges readers to consider the difficulties and potential of creating inclusive communities where dignity and recognition are available to all by delving into the nuances of identity-based conflicts and offering integrative solutions.
The following was helpful research for writing this:
What is Identity Politics and its history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_politics
Controversy:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/09/18/identity-politics/
https://philosophynow.org/issues/136/Francis_Fukuyama_and_the_Perils_of_Identity
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/the-last-man-and-the-clash-of-identities/
Information to broaden the books perspective after reading it:
https://fukuyama.stanford.edu/identity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxZBsALaVys
https://youtube.com/watch?v=I2AUxRQFXY4
About the Author
Alana Hayes
Alana is a mother to four beautiful children and wife to a farmer in Texas. She is an avid world traveler with a heart for both the world and education. She is the president of the nonprofit Against the Grain Texas where they focus on providing education to children overseas and at risk adults in the states. To date the nonprofit has given almost $100,000 to individuals around the world. In her free time she loves spending meaningful time with people and reading to further her personal education.2 responses to “Without Donald, We Wouldn’t Have This Book! Wait….What?”
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Alana,
This sounds so wonderful….but, really?
“Fukuyama argues that countries may overcome the divisiveness generated by identity politics by emphasizing shared values and a shared vision for the future.”
Values or core beliefs come from a certain ideological premise. How might this be obtained if there are so many Ideological premises…foundations to go from. I cant help but think of the verse about Jesus being the Capstone. This is just where my fast thinking is going.
Dr. Hayes,
I really enjoyed your blog and you made an excellent point “According to him, when political speech is focused on identity rather than policy, meaningful conversation suffers and democratic processes as a whole will fail.
I really appreciated your point here, thank you. God Bless!