Cynical Theories

1. Postmodernism: A radical skepticism of objective truth and power structures

Postmodernism is defined by a radical skepticism about the accessibility of objective truth.

Rejection of metanarratives. Postmodernism emerged in the 1960s as a reaction to modernism and modernity. It rejected grand explanations of the world (metanarratives) like Christianity, Marxism, and scientific progress. Key thinkers like Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Jean-François Lyotard developed theories centered on two core principles:

• The postmodern knowledge principle: Radical skepticism about objective truth; knowledge is socially constructed
• The postmodern political principle: Society is formed of systems of power that determine what can be known

Four key themes. Postmodernism is characterized by:

• Blurring of boundaries between concepts
• Focus on the power of language to shape reality
• Cultural relativism
• Rejection of universal truths in favor of group identity

2. Applied postmodernism: Making Theory actionable for social change

Theory couldn't content itself with nihilistic despair. It needed something to do, something actionable.

From deconstruction to activism. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, postmodern ideas evolved into more actionable forms of Theory. This "applied postmodernism" retained the core postmodern principles but used them to develop fields like postcolonial theory, queer theory, and critical race theory. The goal shifted from endless deconstruction to actively changing society according to these theories.

Key developments:

• Acceptance of some objective truths about oppression
• Focus on identity and lived experience as sources of knowledge
• Development of intersectionality to analyze overlapping oppressions
• Emphasis on changing discourses and language to effect social change

Applied postmodernism laid the groundwork for modern Social Justice activism by providing theoretical justification for identity politics and radical social change.

3. Postcolonial Theory: Deconstructing Western dominance and empowering the "Other"

Postcolonialism restricts this project to issues surrounding colonialism.

Challenging Western narratives. Postcolonial Theory, developed by thinkers like Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, and Homi Bhabha, aims to deconstruct Western cultural dominance and empower formerly colonized peoples. It focuses on how Western discourses have constructed and subordinated the "Other."

Key concepts:

• Orientalism: The West's patronizing representations of "the East"
• Subaltern: Marginalized groups excluded from power structures
• Hybridity: Cultural mixing resulting from colonialism

Practical impacts:

• "Decolonizing" education by critiquing Western-centric curricula
• Promoting "research justice" that values non-Western ways of knowing
• Challenging scientific and rationalist approaches as inherently Western

While raising important issues about cultural representation, postcolonial theory has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and undermining universal human rights.

4. Queer Theory: Challenging and subverting societal norms of gender and sexuality

Queer Theory is about liberation from the normal, especially where it comes to norms of gender and sexuality.

Destabilizing categories. Queer Theory, influenced by thinkers like Judith Butler, seeks to challenge and subvert societal norms around gender and sexuality. It views these categories as social constructs that limit human freedom and expression.

Core ideas:

• Gender performativity: Gender is something we "do," not something we "are"
• Compulsory heterosexuality: Societal pressure to conform to heterosexual norms
• Queering: Deliberately disrupting and complicating established categories

Impacts and criticisms:

• Expanding understanding of gender and sexual diversity
• Influencing transgender activism and rights movements
• Criticized for ignoring biological realities and promoting confusion
• Potential to undermine gay and lesbian identity politics

Queer Theory's focus on disrupting norms has had significant cultural influence but remains controversial even within LGBT communities.

5. Critical Race Theory: Exposing systemic racism and white privilege

Critical race Theory holds that race is a social construct that was created to maintain white privilege and white supremacy.

Racism as pervasive and systemic. Critical Race Theory (CRT), developed by legal scholars like Derrick Bell and Kimberlé Crenshaw, argues that racism is not just individual prejudice but a systemic feature of society that perpetuates white dominance.

Key tenets:

• Racism is ordinary, not aberrational
• Race is a social construct, not a biological reality
• Whiteness as property: Legal and social privileges associated with being white
• Interest convergence: Racial progress only occurs when it benefits white elites

Applications and controversies:

• Analyzing racial disparities in law, education, and other institutions
• Promoting race-conscious policies to address systemic inequalities
• Criticized for promoting racial essentialism and undermining colorblind ideals
• Debates over teaching CRT concepts in schools and workplace trainings

CRT has become increasingly influential but also highly controversial, especially in debates over education and social policy.

6. Intersectionality: Understanding overlapping systems of oppression

Intersectionality is a way of understanding and analyzing the complexity in the world, in people, and in human experiences.

Multiple identities, multiple oppressions. Intersectionality, a concept developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw, examines how different forms of social categorization and discrimination (like race, gender, and class) interact and overlap to create unique experiences of oppression.

Key aspects:

• Recognizes that individuals can face multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination
• Challenges single-axis thinking about identity and oppression
• Emphasizes the importance of considering multiple perspectives and experiences

Impacts on activism and scholarship:

• Providing a framework for more nuanced analysis of social inequalities
• Influencing policy discussions around discrimination and equality
• Criticized for potentially creating a hierarchy of victimhood
• Debates over how to practically apply intersectional thinking

Intersectionality has become a central concept in contemporary Social Justice activism and academic discourse.

7. Social Justice scholarship: Reifying postmodern principles as absolute truths

Social Justice scholarship represents the evolution of postmodernism into a third stage: its culmination as a reified postmodernism.

From skepticism to certainty. Since around 2010, postmodern ideas have evolved into a form of Social Justice scholarship that treats the postmodern principles as absolute truths about society. This "reified postmodernism" combines elements from various critical theories into a totalizing worldview.

Characteristics:

• Absolute conviction in systemic oppression and power structures
• Rejection of objectivity and universal truths in favor of "lived experience"
• Focus on language and discourses as primary sites of oppression and resistance
• Emphasis on "decolonizing" knowledge and institutions

Impacts on academia and society:

• Development of new academic fields and methodologies
• Influencing corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Shaping public discourse on issues of identity and social justice
• Criticized for promoting ideological conformity and stifling debate

Social Justice scholarship has become increasingly influential in academia, activism, and popular culture, but faces growing criticism for its dogmatic approach.

8. The dangers of Theory: Undermining liberalism, reason, and social progress

Theory has not remained confined to the academy. First applied, then reified, postmodernism in the form of Social Justice has left the universities, spread—with evangelical zeal—by graduates and through social media and activist journalism.

Threats to liberal society. The authors argue that the spread of Theory poses significant dangers to liberal democracy, scientific inquiry, and social progress. By rejecting objective truth and universal values, Theory undermines the foundations of rational discourse and effective problem-solving.

Negative impacts:

• Promoting identity politics over universal human rights
• Undermining confidence in scientific methods and rational inquiry
• Encouraging self-censorship and limiting free speech
• Potentially fueling right-wing backlash and polarization

Real-world consequences:

• Campus protests and "cancel culture" incidents
• Corporate diversity training promoting essentialist views of race and gender
• Erosion of academic standards in pursuit of "decolonization"
• Weakening of liberal institutions and norms

The authors argue that while Theory raises important issues, its current manifestations threaten to undermine the very progress it claims to promote.

9. A liberal alternative: Embracing universal human rights and viewpoint diversity

Liberalism accepts criticism, even of itself, and is therefore self-correcting; Theory cannot be criticized.

Reclaiming liberal values. The authors propose a return to liberal principles as an alternative to Theory's divisive identity politics. This approach emphasizes universal human rights, reason, and open debate to address social issues.

Key aspects of the liberal alternative:

• Commitment to individual rights and equal treatment under the law
• Belief in the possibility of objective knowledge through scientific inquiry
• Emphasis on viewpoint diversity and free speech
• Recognition of progress while acknowledging ongoing challenges

Moving forward:

• Defending liberal institutions from ideological capture
• Promoting "liberal science" as a method for knowledge production
• Encouraging good-faith debate on controversial issues
• Addressing real inequalities without resorting to essentialism or relativism

The authors argue that liberalism, despite its flaws, remains the best framework for achieving genuine social justice and human flourishing.

Last updated: January 23, 2025