PDF Summary:The New Class War, by Michael Lind

In The New Class War, Michael Lind examines the divide between the elite governing class and the working class majority. He explores how the governing elite, comprised of highly-educated professionals and executives, have accumulated influence across economic, political, and cultural sectors—creating an imbalance that has eroded the bargaining power and sway of workers.

Lind traces this divide historically, from the period of democratic pluralism following World War II, through the rise of neoliberalism in the 1970s and the subsequent loss of worker influence. He argues that the resulting populist movements, while giving voice to working class discontent, have so far failed to significantly alter the fundamental power dynamics between these groups.

(continued)...

Lind depicts these territories as vast, thinly settled areas encompassing suburban localities as well as countryside regions. The majority of the group consists of individuals born in the nation. The heartlands' core economic structure is bolstered by industries including production, farming, and a wide array of services catering to a varied working-class customer base.

The shift away from manufacturing towards a worldwide economic system has devastated regions once reliant on industry, leading to a reduction in job opportunities and a decline in the social standing of workers.

The central regions are experiencing adverse effects due to the reduction in manufacturing output and the growth of international commerce. The migration of manufacturing jobs to nations where labor costs are lower has resulted in a substantial reduction in available employment and stagnant wages, consequently eroding the economic base of communities largely populated by workers from the labor sector. The shift of numerous individuals from secure, well-paying manufacturing jobs to less stable and lower-paying positions in the service industry has resulted in a decline in their social and economic status and prospects for the future.

Context

• Manufacturing has historically been a source of cultural identity and pride for many communities, and its decline can lead to a loss of community cohesion and identity.
• In countries with lower labor costs, there is often a surplus of workers willing to accept lower wages, which attracts companies looking to reduce expenses.
• Automation and technology have reduced the need for human labor in manufacturing, contributing to wage stagnation as fewer workers are needed.
• The decline in manufacturing has led to reduced investment in local infrastructure, affecting public services and quality of life.
• Trade agreements and economic policies have facilitated the movement of jobs overseas, impacting local manufacturing industries.
• Workers who transitioned from manufacturing to service jobs may lack the educational background or training needed for higher-paying roles, limiting their upward mobility.

The institutions and values that have a significant urban elite influence are becoming more and more alien to the working-class inhabitants of America's central regions.

Lind notes a growing detachment among voters from the working class in central regions. The sense of estrangement arises when it appears that the prevailing values and institutions fail to consider their concerns. The disparity in views on family values, traditional norms, and patriotic sentiment becomes especially evident when contrasting the upper echelons with the laboring populace.

The author highlights the strong emphasis placed by working-class individuals on the importance of solid family ties and the cohesion of their close-knit communities, valuing the profound relationships with their surroundings and the traditions associated with these ties. The geographically mobile and often career-driven upper class places a higher value on personal progression than on conventional values, resulting in a divergence of viewpoints. The widening gap in cultural values is exacerbating a sense of alienation within the working populace, which in turn is fueling increased resentment towards those in higher social echelons.

Practical Tips

• Volunteer with organizations that focus on economic development or community building in central regions. Through your involvement, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges and aspirations of the working class in these areas. This hands-on experience can inform your personal and professional interactions, helping to mitigate detachment by fostering inclusive and informed dialogues.
• You can start a neighborhood exchange program to address local needs and foster community support. Set up a simple bulletin board, either physical or online, where neighbors can post services they can offer or needs they have. For example, someone might offer to do grocery shopping for the elderly, while another might need help with resume writing. This creates a direct line of support that bypasses institutional shortcomings.
• You can explore diverse family values by initiating conversations with people from different backgrounds during routine activities like grocery shopping or commuting. Ask open-ended questions about their traditions and listen actively, which can broaden your understanding of varying perspectives and help bridge the gap between different social groups.
• Initiate a 'family and friends savings group' where you collectively save money and support each other's financial goals. Each month, members contribute a set amount to a pooled fund, which is then given to a different member each time. This not only helps with financial stability but also reinforces trust and mutual support. For example, the fund could help a member with emergency expenses or save for a child's education, reinforcing the value of collective well-being.
• Create a tradition exchange potluck where each participant brings a dish that has a special meaning or history in their family. During the meal, encourage everyone to share the story behind their dish. This activity fosters profound relationships as people connect over shared food and the traditions that come with it.
• Develop a "mobility mindset" by setting a goal to learn about a new city or country every month, emphasizing the skills and knowledge that would be necessary to thrive there. Use online resources, documentaries, and virtual tours to immerse yourself in different cultures and job markets. This practice can help you become more adaptable and open to geographic mobility as a path to personal progression.
• Start a peer-mentoring program pairing individuals from different cultural backgrounds. This encourages direct, one-on-one interaction that can lead to a deeper understanding of each other's work experiences and cultural perspectives. For instance, each pair could meet bi-weekly to discuss work challenges and cultural insights, helping to build a more cohesive and empathetic work environment.
• Create a personal blog or social media page dedicated to showcasing stories and challenges faced by people from various social strata. Use your platform to highlight commonalities between different groups, promote empathy, and encourage your audience to support policies or initiatives that aim to reduce social inequality.

Recent history has been characterized by the rise and subsequent fall of democratic pluralism, which was then succeeded by the neoliberal revolution and ultimately gave way to a surge in reactionary populism.

After World War II, a system of democratic pluralism emerged, in which the working class gained bargaining power through labor unions, mass-membership parties, and other institutions.

Michael Lind suggests that the period after World War II was characterized by an increase in democratic pluralism within Western nations. He characterizes the system as one where authority is distributed in a notable way between various groups, with a clear dynamic of control evident in the interactions between employees and management. Labor organizations, in conjunction with a variety of political entities and an array of religious and community institutions, played a pivotal role in raising worker issues and goals to a level where they could shape policy-making.

The period of considerable wealth and societal steadiness began when the national elite found themselves obliged to share power and resources more equitably with the workforce.

Lind suggests that the ruling class was compelled to relinquish a significant amount of control and offer compromises because of the principles inherent in a diverse democracy, resulting in a more equitable distribution of power and resources. During this period, the author observes that the United States underwent a period known as the "New Deal," while Europe saw comparable transformations. Legislation was enacted that bolstered the status of workers by recognizing their rights to negotiate collectively, setting foundational earnings, and constructing safeguards for social welfare, thereby enabling workers to secure a larger share of the economic expansion. During a period marked by significant social stability, workers experienced a sense of integration into the system and received assurances that their issues were recognized, in tandem with the expansion of the economy.

Other Perspectives

• The improvements for the workforce could have been temporary or cyclical, with power dynamics shifting back towards the elite over time.
• Compromises offered by the ruling class could also be attributed to economic pressures or the threat of revolution, rather than the principles of democracy.
• The "New Deal" and European policies may have introduced new forms of dependency on the state, which some argue could undermine individual autonomy and the free market.
• Overly stringent labor laws and protections can discourage entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses due to the perceived risk and cost of compliance.
• The sense of integration could have been a result of top-down initiatives that aimed more at pacifying the workforce rather than genuinely empowering them.
• The idea of social stability might overlook the undercurrents of dissent and the seeds of future social movements that were present but perhaps not visible on the surface during that period.
• Economic expansion during this period may not have been uniform across all sectors or regions, leading to disparities in growth and benefits.

Beginning in the 1970s, the ruling class began a neoliberal overhaul from the top down, with objectives that included weakening organized labor, removing regulatory barriers across numerous sectors, and advancing deeper global economic integration, marking the end of the earlier consensus based on democratic pluralism.

Michael Lind suggests that the shift towards neoliberalism initiated by those in power from the 1970s signaled the decline of the democratic, inclusive consensus that had been characteristic since World War II. This revolution aimed to weaken the influence of labor unions, deregulate industries, and promote global economic integration through policies like free trade agreements and financial liberalization. Policies of neoliberalism have frequently been to the advantage of multinational corporations and global financial markets, often to the detriment of communities with a high concentration of working-class residents.

Practical Tips

• Start a book club focused on economic history and policy to gain a deeper understanding of how economic systems evolve. Choose books that cover different economic theories and historical periods, and during discussions, try to draw parallels between past economic overhauls and current financial trends. This can help you and your group members better understand the forces shaping your economic reality.
• Start a blog or vlog to document and share your experiences with deregulated services. Focus on a specific sector, such as ride-sharing or short-term rental platforms, and provide insights on how the removal of regulatory barriers has influenced consumer experience, service quality, and pricing. This could help others make informed decisions and understand the real-world implications of such policies.
• Diversify your investment portfolio with international stocks or funds to get a personal stake in global economic integration. Use investment apps that allow you to buy fractional shares in foreign companies or global index funds, giving you a direct connection to the ebbs and flows of international markets.
• You can explore the impact of political ideologies on your daily life by tracking policy changes in your local community and noting how they affect you. Start by following local government announcements, attending community meetings, or reading about recent legislation. Take note of any changes that seem to align with neoliberal principles, such as privatization initiatives or reductions in public spending, and reflect on how these changes influence your access to services, employment opportunities, or community resources.
• You can explore the impact of economic policies on your community by tracking local business openings and closures over time. Create a simple spreadsheet to log this information, noting the type of business, its longevity, and any known reasons for its closure. This hands-on approach will give you a tangible sense of how macroeconomic trends might be affecting your immediate environment.
• Create a personal blog or vlog series that tracks changes in your workplace or industry related to labor practices, documenting any shifts in employee benefits, job security, or workplace culture. This could serve as a case study for how policies affect workers on a micro level. Share your observations and analyses on how these changes correlate with the strength or weakening of labor unions, encouraging feedback and discussion from others in your field.
• You can evaluate the impact of deregulation by comparing service costs before and after policy changes in your area. Start by tracking the prices of utilities or services over several months to see if there's a noticeable change. For instance, if your electricity bill decreases following a deregulation policy, this might indicate increased competition among providers.
• Engage with local businesses and inquire about their supply chains and challenges with international competition. By understanding their perspectives, you can make more informed decisions about supporting local economies versus benefiting from global trade.
• Use social media to raise awareness about the importance of understanding economic policies. Create posts that highlight the effects of these policies on everyday life, such as how certain brands dominate market shelves, and encourage your network to think about the choices they make as consumers. This can be as simple as sharing a photo of a local market with a caption about the value of community-based commerce.

Neoliberalism's ascent led to a decrease in the working class's financial stability and institutional influence, sparking a populist backlash against the ruling class.

Lind suggests that the ascent of neoliberalism has substantially diminished the working class's sway. Legislation that did not favor labor interests, along with corporate strategies such as offshoring jobs and hiring workers from other countries, eroded the power of labor unions. The author emphasizes that the reduced sway of the working class was not a consequence of the inexorable forces of globalization, but rather came about due to deliberate choices made by the elite to enhance their wealth and consolidate their power. As institutions that previously represented the working class interests weakened, the economic security of these employees worsened, leading to unchanging wages, reduced benefits, and a growing sense of despair regarding their financial future.

Populist movements have emerged, promising to revitalize job opportunities, implement measures to limit immigration, and enhance the working class's power in opposition to a regime dominated by technocratic neoliberals.

Michael Lind suggests that the rise of populist movements is a direct consequence of the neoliberal revolution, which has led to a diminished role for the working class. The writer suggests that these movements stem from workers' sense of abandonment by the current political system and betrayal by the elite who have benefited from the consolidation of the world economy. They often tailor their political strategies to rejuvenate manufacturing, implement immigration restrictions, and bolster national sovereignty in ways that tackle the economic hardships and social challenges faced by those employed in labor-intensive jobs.

Practical Tips

• Create a personal action plan for career resilience in the face of political shifts. Start by listing your current skills and experience, then research how they could be transferred to sectors that are likely to be bolstered by populist movements. For instance, if you have experience in retail but notice a trend towards infrastructure projects, consider how your customer service skills could be useful in a community liaison role for construction companies.
• Engage in local community forums or town hall meetings to listen to and share views on immigration. Participating in these discussions can provide a platform to consider the practical implications of limiting immigration and to hear directly from others in your community. You might pose questions or share observations that challenge or support the idea of immigration limits, fostering a more informed and balanced community dialogue.
• Create a reading group with friends or neighbors to explore a diverse range of political ideologies, including populist and technocratic viewpoints. By discussing these ideas in a group setting, you can develop a more nuanced understanding of the political landscape and identify actionable ways to support movements that align with your values.
• Engage in conscious consumption by researching the labor practices of companies before making a purchase. This means avoiding products from companies known for poor worker treatment and instead supporting those that provide fair wages and good working conditions. You can use apps or websites that rate companies based on their labor practices, making it easier to make informed decisions that align with your values.
• Write a letter to your local representative expressing your concerns about worker representation in politics, using personal observations or stories you've heard from others. This act of civic engagement can help bridge the gap between citizens and the political system, potentially influencing policy and demonstrating that every voice matters.
• Start a personal journal to reflect on instances where you've felt let down by those in positions of power, whether in your job, community, or broader society. Note the emotions and thoughts that arise, and consider how these experiences might mirror the collective feelings that contribute to populist movements. This self-reflection can offer a microcosm of the larger dynamics at play.
• Start a blog or social media page that highlights and reviews locally manufactured products. This not only spreads awareness but also creates a community of like-minded individuals who are interested in supporting local manufacturers. You could feature interviews with local manufacturers, behind-the-scenes looks at how products are made, and reviews of your favorite local goods.
• Engage in a 'buy local' challenge for a month, where you only purchase goods and services from your country. Document your experience on social media to inspire others and raise awareness about the importance of supporting the national economy. This could involve anything from groceries to clothing, emphasizing the impact of individual consumer choices on national sovereignty.
• You can support local labor-intensive businesses by choosing to buy their products or services over those from larger corporations. By doing this, you're directly contributing to the livelihood of workers in your community who may be affected by the economic hardships discussed. For example, if you need home repairs, hire a local tradesperson instead of going through a large company.
• Consider volunteering your time to teach basic digital literacy skills at a community center. Many labor-intensive job workers may not have the time or resources to develop these skills on their own, yet they are increasingly important in the modern job market. By helping them become more comfortable with technology, you're equipping them with tools that can open up new job opportunities and make them less vulnerable to displacement.

However, leaders who court the wider public and their preferences find it challenging to alter the power dynamics considerably, and in the absence of major shifts, the enduring pattern of elitism alongside popular revolts will probably continue.

The author suggests that while individuals who harness populist sentiments may give voice to the discontent and anger of the laboring populace, they are ultimately unsuccessful in challenging the dominance of the ruling elite. He characterizes the leaders of populist movements as skilled in the art of political campaigning but often falling short in governance efficiency. They often struggle to effect significant change due to their preference for oversimplified solutions, their dismissal of specialized knowledge, and their insufficient experience in overseeing intricate systems.

Lind also warns that a dangerous cycle could emerge where the control exerted by a small group of affluent individuals triggers a populist backlash, which is then leveraged by the elite to strengthen their hold on power, using the backlash itself as justification for their measures. To disrupt this pattern, he argues that it is essential to transform the power dynamics to ensure that the working class regains its strength and independence through a renewed commitment to a society that values a wide array of perspectives and communities.

Context

• Populist leaders may focus on immediate, visible changes to satisfy their base, which can undermine efforts to address deeper, systemic issues that require long-term strategies.
• Social hierarchies and cultural capital can reinforce elitism, as those in power often have access to better education and networks, which help maintain their status and influence.
• Populism often arises as a political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, contrasting them against a perceived corrupt elite. It typically involves charismatic leaders who claim to speak for the "common people."
• Effective governance involves understanding and managing complex systems, such as economic policies, international relations, and public administration, which require expertise and experience.
• Oversimplified solutions can result in short-term fixes that fail to address underlying issues, potentially exacerbating problems in the long run.
• Handling emergencies, such as natural disasters or economic downturns, requires experience in coordinating across multiple agencies and levels of government.
• Wealthy individuals may own or control major media outlets, shaping public discourse in ways that protect their interests and marginalize dissenting voices.
• On a global scale, elites might use international bodies or agreements to bypass national populist pressures, arguing that global stability requires adherence to certain elite-driven policies.
• Transforming power dynamics may require comprehensive policy reforms, such as progressive taxation, labor law reforms, and social safety nets that protect and uplift the working class.
• Diverse teams in technology and science fields are often more innovative, as they bring a wide range of experiences and viewpoints to problem-solving and product development.