Swirling in the debates of modern politics, few phrases capture the tension quite like "reaping the whirlwind." Borrowed from biblical imagery and popularised in political discourse, it suggests that actions sow their own destructive consequences. Clive Pinder's essay (link below) argues precisely this: that the rise of populist Right-wing movements across the West, from Germany's AfD to France's National Rally, Italy's Brothers of Italy, the Netherlands' PVV, and the UK's Reform UK, is a direct backlash against a "self-anointed elite" imposing progressive ideologies on society. He frames "woke" progressivism, rooted in postmodern academia, critical race theory (CRT), and gender studies, as an overreach that dismantles traditional Western values, leading to alienation and authoritarian reactions.

Is the "woke Left" truly reaping a whirlwind of its own making, or is the story more nuanced? Drawing on recent polls and historical context, the evidence shows real public frustration with progressive cultural shifts, but these are intertwined with economic anxieties, institutional distrust, and global events. Backlash exists, but pinning it solely on "woke" overreach risks oversimplifying a complex storm.

The Operating System of the West: A Fragile Fusion?

Pinder describes Western civilisation's "operating system" as a blend of Christian ethics (emphasising individual dignity) and Enlightenment rationalism (prioritising evidence over authority). This fusion, he says, birthed ideals like equal rights and free conscience. When elites "deconstruct" it, via postmodern theories claiming truth is power-laden and "socially constructed," backlash ensues, as seen in historical shifts from Jacobin France to Napoleon, or Weimar Germany to Hitler.

There's merit here: Postmodern thinkers like Foucault and Derrida did influence academic fields, spreading to institutions where "lived experience" sometimes trumps empirical data. CRT and intersectionality have shaped diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in workplaces and schools. But history's parallels are selective. The French Revolution's excesses stemmed from inequality and famine as much as ideology; Hitler's rise exploited economic collapse post-Versailles. Today's "deconstruction" isn't a top-down cabal but a response to woke issues like supposed systemic racism and gender inequality. Progressives argue these tools liberate marginalised groups, not oppress the majority, but of course they do.

Public Sentiment: Silenced Majorities and Eroding Trust

Pinder cites polls showing majorities in the US and UK feel unable to speak freely on politics or culture at work, with young adults wary and a fifth preferring a "strong unelected leader" over democracy. Trust in politicians, parties, and press is cratering.

Data backs much of this. In the US, nearly 70% of workers are uncomfortable discussing politics at work, with 59% fearing career harm. In the UK, only 27% of Britons always express their views without fear of judgment. Trust is indeed at historic lows: In the UK, 87% have little or no trust in politicians, per recent surveys, with levels hitting record lows in 2024. US trust in government institutions lingers near five-decade lows.

On youth and authoritarianism: UK polls show one in five 18-45-year-olds preferring unelected leaders, and a third of young people open to authoritarianism. But nuance matters, other studies clarify: only 6% of Gen Z explicitly favour dictatorships, with many expressing scepticism about democracy's functionality rather than rejecting it outright. In the US, about a third of 18-29-year-olds are politically disengaged and more open to authoritarianism, but most still support democracy.

Political correctness (PC) as overreach? Around 57% of Americans in 2021 said people take offense too easily, and recent polls show 80% linking harsh rhetoric to violence. Yet "woke" isn't the sole driver, economic insecurity and misinformation amplify these feelings.

Pinder traces US discontent from Obama ("hope and change" masking globalisation's pains) to Trump, with 13% of Trump's 2016 votes from Obama supporters flipping the Rust Belt. Biden promised unity but ended with one-third approval, amid complaints of PC excess.

Facts align: Obama-Trump switchers were pivotal, driven by economic woes in deindustrialised areas, though studies highlight racial and immigration concerns too. Biden's approval dipped to around 40% by term's end, with majorities saying the country was on the wrong track. Polls show broad agreement that PC has gone too far, but inflation, immigration, and post-COVID fatigue were bigger factors in voter shifts. Trump's return in 2024 wasn't just anti-woke; it tapped economic resentment.

Britain's Breaking Point: Reform's Rise

In the UK, Pinder highlights the 2024 election: Reform UK's 14.3% vote share yielded just 5 seats, versus Liberal Democrats' 12.2% for 72. Labour's "landslide" came on 33.7% turnout below 60%. Now, Reform polls at 30%, ahead of Labour and Conservatives. Welfare is seen as too generous, fuelling dependency.

Current polls show Reform leading at 29%, with Labour in the high teens. On welfare: 48% think benefits qualifications aren't strict enough, amid rising costs. But Reform's surge also stems from immigration, Brexit fallout, and anti-establishment anger, not purely anti-woke.

Reaping What Was Sown? A Multifaceted Storm

Pinder echoes Christopher Lasch's "Revolt of the Elites," warning of a meritocratic class detached from the masses, breeding internal conflict. Polls suggest a "pre-revolutionary" mood, with calls for a "national clear-out."

The whirlwind is real, but it's not solely the Left's harvest. It's a gale from globalisation's failures, institutional rot, and cultural clashes. Woke is but one part of the breakdown of Western civilisation.

https://dailysceptic.org/2025/12/01/the-woke-left-is-reaping-the-whirlwind/