Identity

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The New York Times bestselling author of The Origins of Political Order provides a provocative examination of modern identity politics: its origins, effects, and implications for both domestic and international affairs. In 2014, the author noted the decay of American institutions, as powerful interest groups increasingly captured the state. This concern was validated two years later with the rise of political outsiders whose economic nationalism and authoritarian tendencies threatened global stability. These populist nationalists often seek a direct, charismatic connection to 'the people,' typically defined in narrow identity terms that foster in-group loyalty while excluding others. The demand for recognition of one's identity is a central theme in contemporary world politics. The universal acknowledgment foundational to liberal democracy faces challenges from narrower identities based on nation, religion, race, ethnicity, or gender, leading to anti-immigrant populism, politicized Islam, identity liberalism on college campuses, and the rise of white nationalism. While populist nationalism is often attributed to economic factors, it fundamentally arises from the need for recognition, which cannot be met solely through economic means. To avoid ongoing conflict, we must reshape identity to support democracy and forge a universal understanding of human dignity.