Lecture: “Woke is Maoism with American characteristics”
Posted By RichC on May 6, 2023
When it comes to sharing political and socioeconomic philosophy, it is like tiptoeing through a minefield. No matter what books, lectures, video or definitions one uses when discussing political ideologies, almost all sources will come under suspicion of bias … or in this case … Cultural Marxist Conspiracy Theory. I do read a bit on the topic since it interests me, but I’ve only scratched the surface; it is a continual study 
and feels like I’m “attempting to cure something I still don’t understand” (a butchered Polish proverb).
With that said, I’ll add a lecture by American James Lindsay discussing a controversial suggestion:“Woke is Maoism with American characteristics — Woke is Marxism” (below).
We see and hear “woke” thrown around all the time in the US as we watch the rest of the western world shifting from the politically and economic philosophy of Classical Liberalism (individual autonomy, limited government, economic freedom, political freedom and freedom of speech) towards what best fits under the umbrella of state controlled Marxism (embracing elements of both social and economic justice aspired to by the progressives of the New Left — personally it looks like Maoism … although currently defined as Democratic Socialism).
Marxism is a method of socioeconomic analysis that analyzes class relations and societal conflict using a materialist interpretation of historical development and a dialectical view of social transformation.
Now whether the recent (last decade or two) change is being orchestrated or happening organically … or a bit of both … you will have to decide for yourself, but I did find this 28 minutes talk by James Lindsay in Europe thought provoking. If you can’t listen to it all, fast-forward to about the 20 minute mark (identities and categorization).
A bit more from James Lindsay on Mao’s “Unity – Criticism – Unity” formula and the similarities to the current day American Cultural Revolution.
| James Lindsay – “Unity – Criticism – Unity.” (mp3) | 3/30/2023 |
Mao Zedong wanted to thought-reform, that is, brainwash, the whole Chinese population, and he had a formula for doing it: “Unity – Criticism – Unity.” That is, he sought to induce in people a “desire for unity” so they would join his socialistic cult, and then once that desire was strong enough, criticism and struggle sessions would begin to cement adherence. Finally, through criticism, struggle, and study, unity with the socialist cult would be achieved. This model of cult programming might sound remote, but it isn’t. It’s the backbone of what we all experience in the American Cultural Revolution in DEI, ESG, SDG, and unconscious bias training at work and SEL at school. We’re told we want to make “safe” places where “everyone feels like they belong,” which initiates the “desire for unity” under the banner of “Belonging.” Then there are criticisms and struggles until there’s solidarity with the Woke worldview, causes, and people pushing it.
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