THINK! Book Club: Francis Fukuyama, “Identity.”

Our next Think! Book Club will discuss Francis Fukuyama’s 2018 book, “Identity.” Subtitled “The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment,” this book addresses the role of racial, ethnic, religious, gender-based, and other social identities in American culture and politics. It argues that identities of this kind have replaced class-based economic concerns as the primary drivers of political affiliation and voting behavior in our country. A white working class backlash against the political demands of historically disadvantaged people having other identities enabled the 2016 election of Donald Trump and continues to threaten our democracy. Fukuyama’s book explains the nature and origins of our social identities and suggests ways of accommodating “identity politics” within a progressive, multicultural democracy.

“Identity” has 183 pages of text and is available at Amazon for $12. If you cannot acquire or read the book, you can familiarize yourself with its contents by watching this YouTube video. Our discussion will consider the role and influence of social identities in our politics, culture, and society. We will assess these identities against humanism’s universalistic view of humankind, asking if identity-based differences really outweigh what we have in common. Whether or not you have read the book, feel free to join us if these matters are of interest and concern to you.

This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted. Donate or join here.

To register or comment on this event, view listing on Meetup.com.