The Democratic Party faces questions about its future direction after a series of defeats. The central organizing principle of leftism has historically been victimhood, identifying oppressor and oppressed groups. Karl Marx’s vision of class struggle leading to a classless society once dominated the left but fell apart after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The failed Marxist model failed to resonate with American workers due to the country’s historical reputation as a land of opportunity with high social mobility.
Following the decline of traditional Marxism, a new form emerged in the form of identity politics, focusing on race and ethnicity rather than class. This second iteration replaced the traditional Marxist oppressor and oppressed dynamic with new categories and terminology but maintained the same logic of oppression, victimhood, and grievance. However, the programmatic expression of identity politics, known as “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI), has faced backlash and is in decline.
As the left looks for a new approach, which some are already dubbing Marxist 3.0, there is a growing need to identify new sources of oppression and victims with new grievances and demands. The innate dissatisfaction with society’s imperfections and the desire for change will continue to drive the left’s evolution. Freelance columnist Bradley R. Gitz, who holds a Ph.D. in political science, discusses these shifts and the potential future of left-wing politics in his latest article.
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