Identity Politics: A Double-Edged Sword

The Positive Side of Identity Politics

Identity politics can help society by bringing together people of different races, religions, and gender identities. It empowers those who have been oppressed and helps them become part of the larger society. When everyone has equal opportunities, identity politics is no longer needed.

The Dark Side of Identity Politics

However, identity politics can also be harmful. Sometimes, the dominant group (like white Christian men in America) uses it to create an “us vs. them” mentality. This can divide society and harm democracy.

Historical Context: The GOP’s Strategy

Since 1968, the GOP has used identity politics to gain power. Richard Nixon targeted white racist voters after Democrats supported civil rights. Ronald Reagan talked about “states’ rights” to limit minority rights. George H.W. Bush scared white voters with the Willie Horton ad, and his son vilified Muslims. Donald Trump has continued this trend with his racist and hateful rhetoric.

Science Explains the GOP’s Strategy

Science is now showing us how powerful and dangerous this strategy can be. Richard Wrangham’s book, The Goodness Paradox, explores human evolution and our capacity for both violence and cooperation.

Violence in Our Evolutionary Past

Wrangham explains that our chimpanzee relatives are very violent. Female chimps are often beaten by males. Over time, genes for aggression became common in chimps. But humans developed language, which allowed us to form complex societies based on cooperation rather than dominance.

The Role of Language and Gossip

Biologist Richard Alexander suggests that once humans could gossip, reputations became important. Being helpful and virtuous became key to success. This shift helped humans build cooperative societies.

Native American Influence on Democracy

In my book, The Hidden History of American Democracy, I show how Native Americans had democratic systems of governance. Our Constitution was influenced by their ideas. Early human societies controlled aggressive alpha males through social rules, making cooperation more important than dominance.

Controlling Psychopathic Alpha Males

Wrangham shows that in many ancient and modern societies, aggressive alpha males were often killed to maintain social harmony. Over generations, this reduced the number of people with aggressive tendencies. Today, only a small percentage of people are sociopaths or psychopaths.

The Importance of Cooperation

This evolutionary process makes societies more stable and resilient. It improves the quality of life for most people. However, when societies are led by violent, psychopathic men, they become unstable and vulnerable.

The Danger of “Othering”

Wrangham points out that humans can be both compassionate and violent. We are kind to our own group but can be cruel to those we see as different. This “othering” is used to prepare soldiers for war and can be easily programmed into people.

Historical Examples of “Othering”

During World War II, Americans used racist terms for Germans and Japanese. This made it easier for soldiers to fight. However, when leaders use “othering” against their own citizens, it can lead to atrocities like the Holocaust or the Cambodian genocide.

Trump and the GOP’s Use of “Othering”

Donald Trump and the GOP are using “othering” to gain and hold power. They target American citizens and immigrants, creating division and hatred. This is a dangerous strategy that threatens our democracy.

Conclusion

Identity politics can be a force for good or evil. When used to promote equality, it strengthens society. But when used to divide, it can destroy democracy. We must be aware of these dangers and work towards a more inclusive and cooperative society.

FAQ’s

What is identity politics?Identity politics refers to political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify. It can be used to empower marginalized groups or, conversely, to create divisions by emphasizing differences.
How can identity politics be helpful to society?When used to bring people of different races, religions, and gender identities into the larger structure of society and to empower those who have been traditionally oppressed, identity politics can help achieve equal opportunity for all.
How can identity politics be destructive?Identity politics becomes destructive when it is used by dominant groups to identify and target “others,” fostering division and social tension. This can undermine social cohesion and democracy.
What role did Richard Nixon play in identity politics?Richard Nixon capitalized on identity politics by appealing to white racists who felt abandoned by the Democratic Party after the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were passed. He referred to his supporters as the “silent majority.”
How did Ronald Reagan use identity politics?Ronald Reagan emphasized “states’ rights,” a term often used to justify the suppression of civil and voting rights of minorities, thereby appealing to white voters who felt threatened by the progress of civil rights.
What was the Willie Horton ad and how did it relate to identity politics?The Willie Horton ad was used by George H.W. Bush during his 1988 presidential campaign to instill fear among white voters by highlighting a black criminal, thus playing on racial fears and prejudices.
How has Donald Trump used identity politics?Donald Trump has used identity politics by “othering” nonwhite people and women, starting with his birther movement in 2008, and continuing through his presidency by targeting immigrants and minorities.
What does Richard Wrangham’s book “The Goodness Paradox” discuss?Richard Wrangham’s book explores the relationship between virtue and violence in human evolution, examining how human societies have evolved from violent dominance to cooperative social structures.
How does Wrangham compare humans to chimpanzees?Wrangham points out that while chimpanzees are highly aggressive, human societies have evolved to prioritize cooperation and social harmony, largely due to the development of language and complex social structures.
What role does language play in human evolution according to Wrangham?Language allowed humans to communicate and develop complex societies where reputations and good behavior became important, fostering cooperation over dominance.
How did Native American governance influence the U.S. Constitution?Native Americans had highly democratic systems of governance that influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution, contributing to the democratic principles embedded in American society.
What happens to psychopathic alpha males in hunter/gatherer societies?In many ancient and modern hunter/gatherer societies, psychopathic alpha males who hoard wealth or assert dominance are often brought under control or even killed, ensuring social stability and cooperation.
What percentage of humans still exhibit alpha male traits?Psychologists estimate that only about one to five percent of humans still carry and act out the alpha male role involving high-level hoarding and social dominance.
Why are cooperative societies more stable?Cooperative societies are more stable because they enhance a culture’s or nation’s chances for survival in the face of crises and improve the quality of life for the largest number of members.
What is the danger of psychopathic alpha males in political leadership?When psychopathic alpha males take over political leadership, they can make societies top-heavy and brittle, making them more vulnerable to disruption by external and internal events.
How do leaders use the strategy of “othering” to gain power?Leaders use the strategy of “othering” by identifying a group as a threat and rallying their followers against this perceived enemy, which can lead to social division and violence.
Why is “othering” dangerous in a political context?“Othering” can turn average citizens into perpetrators of violence against their own society, as seen in historical examples like the Holocaust, the Cambodian genocide, and the Holodomor.
How does “othering” prepare soldiers for war?“Othering” dehumanizes the enemy, making it easier for soldiers to kill or be killed on the battlefield. This strategy has been used in various wars to instill a sense of duty and moral obligation to fight.
What are some historical examples of “othering” leading to violence?Historical examples include Adolf Hitler’s targeting of Jews, Gypsies, and homosexuals during the Holocaust, Stalin’s starvation of Ukrainians in the Holodomor, and Pol Pot’s Cambodian genocide.
How is Donald Trump using “othering” in modern America?Donald Trump and his followers are using “othering” against American citizens and immigrants to gain and hold political power, creating divisions and fostering an environment of fear and hostility.
What is the ultimate danger of “othering” in society?The ultimate danger of “othering” is that it can lead to widespread violence and the breakdown of social cohesion, turning ordinary people into perpetrators of atrocities against those deemed as “others.”