A friend, a Black psychologist, responded to my sharing of this post on FB: This is a very good analysis—deeper than most. But it misses the glue that holds all of this emotional and economic angst together. Racism. What do we do with fundamental hate for who we are ? I’m not personally reaching over the divide to people who are fuming with race hate. Race hate is so deeply woven into the belief system of what white people believe they’re entitled to, and hence their sense of loss. Not identifying race hate as a fundamental motivator for the identity cohesion of MAGA misses the point entirely.
I think its serious mistake to characterize MAGA as all negative. There are some positive sentiments in the mix too. MAGA arose because of the abuses of neoliberalism.
Democracy is overrated. The best social order is the one led by ethical leaders.
Capitalism needs to be overthrown. Reforms will not do.
Your points about neoliberalism are spot on. They are victims, but not understanding the cause were easy pray to simple explanations offered by scapegoating.
Like others, I searched for you to make sure to make the correct attribution when I share your analyses with others. I almost cried reading your enlightening, eloquently written reflection on a phenomenon too easily dismissed as “wrong” or “bad.” Thank you so very much.
I think when the economic tide shifts in favour of the worker again then people will better relate with one another. The conversation needs to dig into addressing the wealth gap that is making both Dems and MAGA workers insecure. The capitalists don't want us to talk about that! They want us attacking/blaming one another rather than the robber barons. North Americans were thriving between 1945 and 1980 when the wealthy paid far higher taxes. I include my Canada in this too! We had a thriving middle class, our
iinfrastructure, roads, hospitals, schools were getting built. Trickle Down Economics and racism are the threats to democracy.
The canaries in the coal mine are the vast number of homeless, crumbling , infrastructure,
increase in profits
(privitization) over public institutions
( healthcare, public ed).
Start talking with one another about the robber barons and why they want us hating each other.
The concept of mattering has been on my mind recently. Partly due to a leadership book recently released by Zach Mecurio called The Power of Mattering that I keep seeing everywhere (ordered). Who matters, who feels like they do or don’t, who feels like others do or don’t. And why? And how to remedy it? Questions to ponder.
Another insightful piece. Question: I have relatives and friends who are MAGA, yet they would be considered upper class. Not extremely wealthy, but financially well set due to success in professional careers or business. I don’t see the ground moving under them. Yet, they buy into MAGA 100 percent. What do you think accounts for people in that same boat? Maybe not the things you laid out, but simple greed?
Great question—and one I’ve asked myself many times. For some in that upper-tier professional class, MAGA isn’t about economic anxiety—it’s about status anxiety. They see a world shifting culturally, demographically, and politically, and MAGA offers a way to reassert control. It flatters them with the idea that their success is being unfairly threatened by undeserving others. Sometimes it’s greed, yes—but more often it’s a deeper fear of losing privilege disguised as merit.
I agree. My observation is these professional class MAGA are not that far removed generationally from a lower socio-economic status. They are very invested in outward badges of status - it is as if they can only verify they have made it by comparing themselves to someone 'below' them. This is partially why I think Trump engages in so much theater of cruelty.
He like them, needs the validation of someone to lord it over.
Pure and simple hatred of Black people, and other folks that they “other.” Some define their whiteness by aligning with all the white myths used to maintain the status built by their ancestors when they either participated in or accepted the commodification of other humans…when they participated in or accepted moving indigenous people off of their lands and forcing them to walk hundred of miles to less desirable/profitable land. This is why these types want to erase well-documented history of their heritage of greed for money and power and exploitation. This is why they even screw Mother Nature. The myths of white superiority have corroded into the over estimation of their ability to not be held accountable and to control anything and everything for profit. Tell these folks that they’re not nice or good people, and they’ll deny it until the fractured earth collapses and consumes them. Rather than process shame—which these folks are incapable of doing—and turning it into more positive energies, they cling to the status their skin color affords them, no matter how low their standards are for leaders. Read the book Dying Of Whiteness.
Followed you here from your post on Facebook which was shared by a friend. Spot on analysis in my opinion.
Same. Thanks for this piece!
Same! Great insights, professor
Great sentiments and ideologically sound. I would love to see a follow up of specific strategies, tactics, and concrete examples of success.
The irony is that these folks want to be successful in the same brutal capitalistic society that has created their misery.
Today's post is an excellent example of why I make the time to read you every day. Thank you for making the time to share your thoughts with us.
Yes yes yes!!!
A friend, a Black psychologist, responded to my sharing of this post on FB: This is a very good analysis—deeper than most. But it misses the glue that holds all of this emotional and economic angst together. Racism. What do we do with fundamental hate for who we are ? I’m not personally reaching over the divide to people who are fuming with race hate. Race hate is so deeply woven into the belief system of what white people believe they’re entitled to, and hence their sense of loss. Not identifying race hate as a fundamental motivator for the identity cohesion of MAGA misses the point entirely.
I think its serious mistake to characterize MAGA as all negative. There are some positive sentiments in the mix too. MAGA arose because of the abuses of neoliberalism.
Democracy is overrated. The best social order is the one led by ethical leaders.
Capitalism needs to be overthrown. Reforms will not do.
Your points about neoliberalism are spot on. They are victims, but not understanding the cause were easy pray to simple explanations offered by scapegoating.
I dont think neoliberals are victims. They simply chose poorly. Some were misled by politicians like Obama, Biden and Clinton. Big mistake.
Like others, I searched for you to make sure to make the correct attribution when I share your analyses with others. I almost cried reading your enlightening, eloquently written reflection on a phenomenon too easily dismissed as “wrong” or “bad.” Thank you so very much.
I think when the economic tide shifts in favour of the worker again then people will better relate with one another. The conversation needs to dig into addressing the wealth gap that is making both Dems and MAGA workers insecure. The capitalists don't want us to talk about that! They want us attacking/blaming one another rather than the robber barons. North Americans were thriving between 1945 and 1980 when the wealthy paid far higher taxes. I include my Canada in this too! We had a thriving middle class, our
iinfrastructure, roads, hospitals, schools were getting built. Trickle Down Economics and racism are the threats to democracy.
The canaries in the coal mine are the vast number of homeless, crumbling , infrastructure,
increase in profits
(privitization) over public institutions
( healthcare, public ed).
Start talking with one another about the robber barons and why they want us hating each other.
The concept of mattering has been on my mind recently. Partly due to a leadership book recently released by Zach Mecurio called The Power of Mattering that I keep seeing everywhere (ordered). Who matters, who feels like they do or don’t, who feels like others do or don’t. And why? And how to remedy it? Questions to ponder.
hmm.sounds like a good read
Another insightful piece. Question: I have relatives and friends who are MAGA, yet they would be considered upper class. Not extremely wealthy, but financially well set due to success in professional careers or business. I don’t see the ground moving under them. Yet, they buy into MAGA 100 percent. What do you think accounts for people in that same boat? Maybe not the things you laid out, but simple greed?
Great question—and one I’ve asked myself many times. For some in that upper-tier professional class, MAGA isn’t about economic anxiety—it’s about status anxiety. They see a world shifting culturally, demographically, and politically, and MAGA offers a way to reassert control. It flatters them with the idea that their success is being unfairly threatened by undeserving others. Sometimes it’s greed, yes—but more often it’s a deeper fear of losing privilege disguised as merit.
That makes total sense. Thanks! And thanks for all your columns … you are my number one Substack source for insights on this topic.
I agree. My observation is these professional class MAGA are not that far removed generationally from a lower socio-economic status. They are very invested in outward badges of status - it is as if they can only verify they have made it by comparing themselves to someone 'below' them. This is partially why I think Trump engages in so much theater of cruelty.
He like them, needs the validation of someone to lord it over.
Pure and simple hatred of Black people, and other folks that they “other.” Some define their whiteness by aligning with all the white myths used to maintain the status built by their ancestors when they either participated in or accepted the commodification of other humans…when they participated in or accepted moving indigenous people off of their lands and forcing them to walk hundred of miles to less desirable/profitable land. This is why these types want to erase well-documented history of their heritage of greed for money and power and exploitation. This is why they even screw Mother Nature. The myths of white superiority have corroded into the over estimation of their ability to not be held accountable and to control anything and everything for profit. Tell these folks that they’re not nice or good people, and they’ll deny it until the fractured earth collapses and consumes them. Rather than process shame—which these folks are incapable of doing—and turning it into more positive energies, they cling to the status their skin color affords them, no matter how low their standards are for leaders. Read the book Dying Of Whiteness.