Think identity politics is a problem for Labor? Wait ’til you see the Republicans

The Right-Wing Critique of Identity Politics and Labor

Right-wing commentators often dismiss figures like Fatima Payman as emblematic of divisive identity politics, using the term alongside 'woke' to criticize progressive agendas. This framing suggests that identity politics undermines social cohesion and collective values, portraying it as a threat to societal order. Some voices on the right argue that Labor, with its traditional emphasis on collectivism and social solidarity, stands as a bulwark against the fragmentation caused by identity politics.

Nick Dyrenfurth, writing for the Financial Review, encapsulates this view by contrasting Labor’s communitarian ethos with what he describes as the individualism of progressivism. He contends that Labor’s commitment to party unity and collective democracy offers resistance to the divisiveness of identity politics, which he characterizes as a 'Hobbesian war' between competing groups. This perspective positions Labor as the last defense against the chaos attributed to identity-based factionalism.

Labor’s Neoliberal Legacy and the Roots of Identity Politics

Despite the right’s portrayal of Labor as a champion of collectivism, the party’s history tells a more complex story. Labor was instrumental in introducing neoliberal reforms in Australia during the 1980s, including market liberalization, reduced protectionism, competition policies, and compulsory superannuation. These reforms reshaped the economy, embedding market logic deeply into Australian society and transforming traditional social roles and identities.

Neoliberalism’s emphasis on individual economic value—measured by productivity and market participation—replaced older identities rooted in class, occupation, and community. Under this system, people’s worth became tied to their economic success, marginalizing those who did not thrive in the market economy. This shift created fertile ground for identity politics, as individuals and groups sought alternative sources of identity and solidarity beyond economic status.

Economic precarity, wage stagnation, and financial instability have pushed many to seek belonging and explanation through identity-based communities, often facilitated by digital platforms. Far from being a purely progressive phenomenon, identity politics arises as a response to neoliberalism’s failures to provide stable and inclusive economic identities.

Identity Politics Beyond Progressivism: The Republican Party Example

Contrary to the common association of identity politics with progressive movements, its most potent and politically consequential form is arguably found within the US Republican Party. Here, identity politics centers on white middle- and working-class Americans who perceive themselves as victims of a liberal elite. This narrative of white victimhood has become a defining feature of Republican politics, shaping electoral strategies and policy agendas.

White supremacist groups, which have grown in prominence and pose significant security threats, exemplify the dangers of identity politics when combined with exclusionary and resentful ideologies. In the United States, these groups have surpassed Islamist terrorism as the primary domestic terror threat, highlighting how identity-based grievances can fuel violence and political instability.

The Republican Party’s embrace of identity politics has led to a political environment where appeals to racial and cultural identity overshadow traditional economic or policy concerns. This dynamic contrasts with Labor’s struggle to balance collectivist ideals with the realities of neoliberal economic structures.

Labor’s Internal Identity Politics and the Future of Collective Solidarity

Labor itself is not immune to identity politics. The Albanese government’s 'Future Made In Australia' strategy, which emphasizes revitalizing manufacturing and blue-collar industries, can be seen as an expression of identity politics rooted in nostalgia for a bygone economic era. This approach appeals to traditional Labor constituencies but may clash with the realities of a feminized, service-oriented, and digital workforce.

Such internal identity politics reflect tensions within Labor between maintaining collectivist principles and adapting to changing social and economic conditions. The party’s historical embrace of neoliberal reforms complicates its position, as it must navigate the competing demands of economic pragmatism and social solidarity.

Ultimately, identity politics has become embedded in political life, influencing how parties define themselves and engage with voters. For Labor, the challenge lies in harnessing collective democracy to address economic inequities while managing the diverse identities and interests within its base.

What this means

Identity politics is a multifaceted force shaping political landscapes across the globe. While it is often framed as a challenge for progressive parties like Australia’s Labor, its roots lie in broader economic transformations and neoliberalism’s reshaping of social identities. The Republican Party’s experience in the United States illustrates the potential for identity politics to become a dominant and destabilizing force when tied to exclusionary narratives. For Labor, the path forward involves reconciling its collectivist heritage with the realities of a diverse and economically complex society, striving to build solidarity that transcends narrow identity claims. Understanding identity politics in this nuanced context is essential for developing inclusive and effective political strategies in an era marked by economic uncertainty and social fragmentation.