We talk a lot on this podcast about the ascendent woke ideology. But there is not yet anything like consensus on what this political movement actually is, what values define it — and, indeed, who advances its agenda.
My guest on the podcast today has tackled these questions in a new book. She argues that woke ideology is an elite phenomenon. That it has breathed new life into old prejudices like sexism, racism, and homophobia. And that elites are unaware how unpopular these ideas are with the public.
Joanna Williams is founder of the Cieo independent think tank and a columnist at Spiked. She’s also the author of How Woke Won: The Elitist Movement that Threatens Democracy, Tolerance and Reason.
Joanna Williams is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come tomorrow for paid subscribers.
How Woke Won
Excellent interview. I'm also reading her book which is very well written and most interesting. I found her comments on Marxism and its disconnection to wokeism of particular interest. A very worthwhile expenditure of 30 minutes of scarce time!
Great interview, very insightful and with a comprehensive perspective. I hope her book gets good traction in our slippery slopes culture and fosters rationality and the re-establishment of the concept of ‘common good’.