Out of the Identity Trap: The Origins and Limitations of “Wokeness" in Achieving Equality

The phrases “woke” and “anti-woke” have entered the general lexicon in recent years, providing combative fodder to both sides of the debate, and fueling division in American discourse. But what are the origins and consequences of so-called “wokeness?”

In Yascha Mounk’s previous visit to the City Club, he discussed shifts in the global thoughts about democracy, how we got here, and how it can be saved. Mounk has built his acclaimed scholarly career on being one of the first to warn of the risks right-wing populists pose to American democracy. Now, Mounk joins us once again to discuss his latest book that tackles the appeal and limitations of identity-based politics–which has rapidly transformed America and college campuses across the country. He calls it the “identity trap,” and argues those on the left and center who are stuck in the identity trap will ultimately make it harder to achieve progress toward genuine equality.

Yascha Mounk, Ph.D. is a political scientist known for his work on the rise of populism and the crisis of liberal democracy. He is a professor of the practice of international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, the founder of the digital magazine Persuasion, a contributing editor at The Atlantic, and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The Identity Trap is his fifth book.