The End of Wokeness: The Decline of the Progressive Era and the Rise of a Global Conservatism
In recent years, progressive politics seemed to dominate cultural and political conversations across industrialized nations. From climate action to identity politics, progressivism shaped debates, policies, and even cultural norms. However, the pendulum of public sentiment has swung dramatically, and all signs point to the decline of the ‘woke’ era. This shift, driven by economic anxiety, immigration concerns, and cultural fatigue, has reshaped the political landscape globally—and many believe this is a positive and much-needed change.
The Signs of Decline
James Carville, the seasoned Democratic strategist, bluntly declared, “It’s over. The identity left has lost.” Carville points out that much of the backlash stems from an overemphasis on niche cultural debates rather than addressing core voter concerns like economic growth and immigration control. “No one wants to defund the frickin’ police. No one wants the nonsense of cultural appropriation,” Carville stated. His frustration highlights the growing realization among traditional leftists that performative activism has alienated key voter groups.
Comedian Chris Rock also offered a sharp critique of the woke movement in his Netflix special Selective Outrage, observing, “Everybody’s full of shit… including those who tweet about justice from phones made by child slaves.” Rock’s satire captures the growing disillusionment with an elite-driven movement that often appears hypocritical and disconnected from the lives of ordinary people.
A Global Rejection of Wokeness
The decline of the progressive era is not confined to the United States. Across Europe, dissatisfaction with progressive policies has manifested in the rise of right-wing populist movements. Stefan Marschall, a political scientist at Heinrich Heine University, explains, “Far-right parties have solidified around a constant, ongoing critique of elites.” This critique resonates deeply with working-class voters who feel abandoned by traditional left-wing parties.
In Germany, the rise of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party serves as a stark example. AfD has surged in polls, capitalizing on growing fears about unchecked immigration and economic stagnation. The party’s success is a clear signal that voters are prioritizing national identity, security, and economic stability over abstract ideological goals.
In France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party has cemented itself as a dominant political force. Similarly, Italy’s Brothers of Italy, under Giorgia Meloni, have taken control with a message focused on national pride, economic self-sufficiency, and cultural integrity.
Canada, once seen as a bastion of progressive ideals, is also experiencing a political shift. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party faces widespread backlash. Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, explains, “Canadians aren’t necessarily embracing right-wing policies—they’re rejecting Trudeau.” Trudeau’s focus on cultural signaling over addressing housing costs, inflation, and immigration concerns has alienated voters.
Why Is This Happening?
The reasons behind this widespread rejection of progressive politics are both economic and cultural:
- Economic Stagnation: Years of weak wage growth, inflation, and job insecurity have left working-class voters disillusioned. Many feel left behind by policies that prioritize abstract environmental goals over immediate economic relief.
- Immigration Concerns: Large waves of immigration have caused cultural and economic anxieties, especially in smaller towns and rural areas where integration policies often fall short.
- Cultural Fatigue: Debates around pronouns, gender-neutral bathrooms, and cancel culture have alienated mainstream voters who see these as distractions from more pressing concerns.
Ruy Teixeira, a political analyst from the American Enterprise Institute, succinctly captured this sentiment: “Working-class people are just pissed off—about immigration, about all the culture war stuff, and the relatively poor economic performance that has shaped their lives.”
Political philosopher Susan Neiman offers a broader critique of the modern progressive movement, arguing that its focus on identity politics has weakened its appeal. “The struggles have nothing to do with justice but are just a matter of tribes fighting for power,” Neiman states.
The American Case Study
Donald Trump’s political resurgence in the United States serves as the clearest example of this global trend. His appeal cuts across traditional conservative lines, resonating with working-class voters from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. Trump’s ability to tap into the frustrations of young men—a demographic often overlooked by progressive activists—was particularly effective.
Sarah Baxter observed in her analysis of Trump’s recent victory, “The era of Black Lives Matter, critical race theory, and defunding the police is over.” Young voters, especially men, have grown weary of being lectured about identity politics and being cast as villains in the narrative of societal injustice.
Trump’s strategy included outreach through unconventional media platforms such as YouTube and podcasts popular with young men. This approach allowed him to bypass traditional media filters and speak directly to a disillusioned audience.
The Global Shift Is Here to Stay
While progressives once dominated the cultural and political discourse, the shift to the right appears to be durable. Ursula Münch of Germany’s Academy for Political Education warns of potential gridlock as establishment conservatives struggle to form coalitions with insurgent populists. “This could increase dissatisfaction as voters see that political paralysis sets in,” she said. However, this frustration is also a sign that voters are no longer willing to accept half-measures from traditional parties.
What Comes Next?
If progressives hope to recover any political ground, they must abandon performative gestures and focus on practical solutions. Economic growth, job security, and immigration reform must take priority over debates about cultural appropriation or virtue signaling.
James Carville offers a blunt roadmap: “Good candidates will give you a sharp definition and a concise message.” Until progressives learn to prioritize policies that directly improve the lives of average citizens, their influence will continue to wane.
A Positive Step Forward
The decline of the progressive era marks an opportunity for politics to return to real, tangible issues that matter to voters. Across the globe, from the United States to Canada to Germany, people are signaling their desire for leaders who prioritize national identity, economic stability, and pragmatic solutions.
As Chris Rock aptly observed, “People are tired of the hypocrisy. They want authenticity.” This global political shift is not a regression but a necessary correction, bringing balance back to a conversation dominated for too long by out-of-touch elites.
The coming years will reveal whether progressives can adapt to this reality—or if they will fade further into political obscurity. For now, it seems the age of wokeness is over, and for many, that is a very good thing indeed.
Daniel, thanks. This is the best article I have read on PBP. While I don’t agree entirely with you, based on what you feel, there is no way I can say it is off base.
Great experts, sources, and info.
Very intuitive and creative while offering investigative insights not seen on PBP.
And interesting read that I have thought a lot about, but have no definitive answers, or even opinions. But, of course, I do have some opinions, different than yours, and look forward to pursuing this most important history leading to our next steps as a nation.
FYI: woke is not DEAD, it’s only sleeping.
Will respond more but over my limit already today.
Woke should be dead . You are over your limit everyday.
Under the title: Truth is Stranger than Fiction:
“As Steven D. Parker walked through a grocery store with his mother, she looked him in the eye and told him to “stay by her.” Immediately, Steven felt the tension in the situation. Though he wanted to join the other children running around the store, he remembered his mother’s words. When the two were back at their car, Steven’s mother said to him, “Listen here, little black boy, for you to be safe you need to stay by me.” He was three years old.
“Let’s be clear, I’m a black man in the United States,” said Steven. “Thus, I was born into DEI work.”
*https://western.edu/steven-parker-diversity-equity-inclusion/*
But wait, there’s more……..
“After just a year, Western Colorado University’s first Vice President of Inclusivity Steven Parker left the position. He left for family-related reasons, but will continue serving the Western Slope as a psychotherapist.
Western intends to fill Parker’s role, but is transitioning the position from one of a vice president of inclusivity to a dean of diversity, President Brad Baca told the Times. The new dean will continue to serve on the senior cabinet and have many of the same responsibilities, Baca said. In the interim, Parker’s responsibilities have been assigned to other administrators in the senior cabinet.”
Yes, sure, family-related reasons…….
*https://www.gunnisontimes.com/articles/westerns-vp-of-inclusivity-steps-down-after-one-year/*
Fact is DEI got traction due to business believing it had revenue value; now it thinks it has revenue risk. EDU too. The concept is still good, the brand is bad, so giving it a spotlight not prudent at this time. Diversity is still better than not. Equality always good. And inclusion generally better until it excludes. Concepts good, brand is tainted. Need to defund DEI is upon us :>) WOKE is in the same bailiwick, being polite, kind, and inclusive is always good, but the WOKE brand is bad connotations, so bad. WOKE is not dead, it’s only sleeping.
I think Frankie needs a little preparation H around the mouth. I don’t know where he gets his story’s from but he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Wokeness has nothing to do with anyone’s race.
Stephen: the links are right there, do you understand how to use the internet?
Given your name, if that is your name, and you post on this thread, I just found it amusing.
Sorry if your knickers are so knotted you can’t even see the humor in your name, your post, and some black guy with the same name becoming DEI Czar for a year before getting fired. Still seems amusing to me, sorry for your bitterness.
Francis , It looks like I got you again . You are so easy to poke . I don’t need to spend my time using your libtard links . I know that you don’t have anything else to do but criticize a real author that has a job and gets paid for his opinion.
The question Steven Parker, is “Are you the Steven Parker” in the articles found by Frank Danger?
Why don’t you just give a straight answer?
Tom,
Maybe he’s not straight? Seems to like to poke other men………
Yeah, some of his writing is really a bit weird.
Frank could probably suck a golf ball through a garden hose
Jim Wampler.
Grow up. Just because you can’t put a cogent argument together, just because you can’t refute what is said, do you really need to lower yourself by making untrue sexual allegations about things you seem to love to do?
Democrats are not interested in improving the lives of the American people. Just look at the policies they force on the country! They want total control of every aspect of our lives, and want to get rich while we own nothing!!!!!
This is what we are fighting against!!!
CJ is correct! I understand everyone wants there 5 seconds of fame, but it runs deeper.
Every person over the age of 50 Remembers something from their past. ( Good or Bad )
They are imposing these principals on the youth, if not their youth, they will impose them on someone else
and their youth.
Every parent wants what is best for their child or family.
Society was frowning on GAY, TRANS, POOR, even RACISIM, SO THEY THOUGHT!
The fact is every parent loves their child or the person they love.
These people want to change society so THEIR loved ones will fit in as they once did. ( or did not )
The fact is even a splinter is no big deal until it becomes infected. You can not change 90%
0f the peoples opinions to self serve the 10%
Logic and history both show this was a doomed ideal.
Change takes place slowly over time.
I just feel sorry for the few children who changed sex only to realize ( what the hell was I thinking, or told )
There is good woke such as when we reform institutions that had racial bias and inequality built into their rules. There is bad woke such as the “pronoun police”, and allowing harmful criminals out of jail. And naturally, there is good DEI and bad DEI.
But lets not forget that the GOP has its form of woke as well.
The GOP has woke in the following ways: The GOP wants to tell all women what to do with their bodies and not giving women a choice – which has already led to deaths. The GOP wants to take away disparate impact laws that provide for minorities that are not treated the same as the majority to sue for equal treatment – in other words, the GOP form of woke is to maintain inequality and maintain an advantage for white and wealth. GOP woke is to pile up national debt to give corporations and wealthy a tax deduction they do not need. The GOP wants to scale back Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid which all total about 120 million people rely on in one form or another. The GOP form of woke wants to roll back environmental laws that have kept our air and water clean in favor of corporations and profit – they believe in profits over population health. The GOP wants to outsource jobs and import foreigners to take American jobs as stated by Musk and Ramaswami. They are woke to corporate profits because those foreigners work for less. And the GOP / MAGA leader Trump is woke to Musk and what Musk wants, especially with regard to foreigners taking American jobs. Trump gave Musk the nod!
So as the prophet Danger has already said, woke is not dead. Woke is taking a nap. He is correct in that Dem woke is napping. But GOP woke is very awake and busy attacking many Americans. It’s really all about picking your form of woke. Will you be woke to humanity and lifting people up? Cleaner environments? Wealth equity and shrinking the wealth gap? Or will you be woke to corporate profits and lifting up wealthy people to greater heights of wealth? Contaminating the environment? More manufacturing in China which Musk and Apple both want?
The choice is yours. Either way you choose, you will be choosing one form of woke or the other.
I like the author’s used of sources, and would note that Carville touches on the fact that the left pushed too hard and was not listening. Rock is a little more obtuse in that you can be against something, but be forced to accept some until it can be changed as well. Not even funny, for sure, but, no one goes without oil too. Just life. And Baxter is OK, but I am not sure it’s completely over, just sleeping. Black lives still do matter, critical race theory is still a fact, and defunding anything is just part of organizational life. Businesses fund and defund every day, so does government — just at a snail’s pace. We call it reorganization.
I give you a perfect case: product managers are action oriented to the P&L. They are dependent, but do not control, a multitude of organizations from accounting to marketing to manufacturing and logistics. Often, when things are not being done, let’s say from accounting, our Product Management group would just budget and hire some to either get the job done or enough of it to force accounting to step up. After a while, Product Management had quite a few positions doing the work of other organizations. New VP and it was re-org time where we defunded all this and sent the workers either to the proper organization or to the street. We called it reorganization, but it was defunding same as the concept of defunding the police or sending non-police activities to the proper organization. But in the case of the “defund the police” movement, that message cut fucked up with a myth of less police. No, it was less non-police in police positions. Does not matter, the message is the meaning and the message was fucked up.
Here you go, DO, happy new year and, again, thanks for the article I really like this article and have been thinking about it for some time. It is global although it is different across the globe too. Most often it primarily ties to economics yet touches many aspects of life as economics does.
First, my take is this all begins, for the US, in 1945. At that time, the US is economically divided tween the rich and the workers, mostly blue collar, with far less mid-level white collar than today. And the Archie Bunker economy is good. Good enough. Better than the past. Farmers are out there, but mom n pop, they get along and are self-reliant.
And we unveil the GI Bill, educate 8 million in the first seven years post the war. My father had not a cent for school and received his Masters in Economics from Friedman’s Chicago School, pretty good ride. 8 million is 6% of the 1945 US population, that’s huge. Generally, these folks worked in urban centers and, generally, as density increases, so do progressive politics as community gains a higher priority over self-reliance and populism. Farms too become big business managed by the white-collar class with factory-like workers, or below, not exactly gaining white collar fruits of their labors. That’s a global trend too. The economy expands, corporations and conglomerates become the new nations, and mid-level managers blossom into their own class within the middle class. Archie Bunker, unless highly skilled in services and/or running his own business, is being left behind as the new higher middle class of middle management becomes seen as elitists. Much of the working class, through education, has reached a different economic level.
These GI bill men re-created America and during the 60’s, 70’s and beyond, created a new white collar managerial class lifting millions out of the factory and onto the office floor. The factories flourished and factory workers remained progressive as they always had been. But an economic divide was forming as the managerial class becomes upper middle class and the factory workers remain at their middle class, a slightly lower level in the economy.
Also, it was proven that open markets better used the world’s resources, aka Adam Smith, delivering lower cost products to all. And work fell to the best qualified at the lowest cost so US, and other developed nation’s factory work moves overseas. Many of the affected US factory workers that did not gain new skills to reach the white-collar managerial class and this makes them a bit pissed about feeling left behind. And that disaffected class moved away from the progressive party towards nationalism blaming immigrants, minorities, and the elites for their dilemma. And the “elites” moved farther away from them, forgetting they were the core of the party. The elites are them with a collar. As in we lost them because it appeared we forgot about them since many of us had moved up and on.
Then, as in many developed nations, our workers just did not want to take lower paying jobs as we found immigrants willing to fill that role. The US is not alone in this, UK, France, Germany all have immigration issues in that, again, the lower middle class is not willing to take these lower paying jobs, yet they see the newcomers as stealing their cheese. And soon enough, the newcomers will look for higher paying jobs, they are hungry, willing, smart, and hard working, which makes the lower middle class even more pissed.
And the new white collar upper management worked the offices, the government, the professional jobs are seen as the elites, controlling all aspects of life. They run the corporations, conglomerates, and the government. And then they suggested CRT, DEI, WOKE and BLM. All good things unless as a lower middle class non-professional worker, who often saw them as yet more baggage heaped on their less than completely fulfilling lives. Again, mostly due to economics, but touching many non-economic aspects of their lives. It became a bridge too far, a cause celeb, a reason to rally round the flag and save their country and culture even as they know we can never go back. We can only move forward.
And the new elites, the professional class, took them for granted which is tantamount to forgetting them which brings us to our current dilemma. This is the mistake that Clinton and Harris made, Joe was the compromise where he seems to be a reminder of the past with a touch of the future which ended up pissing off the progressive left and the regressive right at the same time.
Now the political messages from conservatives is that progressives did this to you, the immigrants are stealing your jobs, and if you just vote for us, we will fix it all. But the fact is they cannot, it’s economics, it makes economic sense, and they will not fix it. In the end, it’s up to you to fix it for yourself. You can’t work the factory line and make the upper middle class. Nor a basic service worker. Get smarter, work harder.
However, if progressives tell you how to be polite, how to offer jobs to all, how to act, and that’s not going to work either. Even leftists will say, enough, quit telling me what to do and how to act. The fact is that we all need to work together to lift the lower middle class to a higher place. We can do that with educational and retraining programs like the GI bill did in 1945. We can do that by believing and making a fair day’s work worth a fair day’s pay. We can recognize the economic changes in the post industrial world, leverage them, and outcompete anyone to continue to lead the world to the future.
The day of Henry Ford factories in America is over; neither the right or left can bring it back. In our new, but current economy, the winner is the one who invents, creates, and markets new innovations as silly as from pet rocks to as sophisticated new vaccines, software, and AI products.
I once said there is not enough metal on the Earth to give everyone a new car and TV. We need more. We need exploration beyond the Earth to get more. Plus, to save our species, we need a backup plan, another planet, species habitat redundancy. And that’s a lot of good wages to be had just like drilling for oil in the artic pays well. Sure, it’s out there, but think how long after 1945 and the GI Bill to make today’s push back on woke happen. We have a lot of work to do, we can only do it,
Now that’s a screed. Like I said, been thinking about this for some time, over a decade to be exact.