I watched a video today talking about common talking points concerning how „the left has failed men“
I would argue F.D argues that while this is often cited as a critique on how „the Left“ is losing young men to right grifters like Tate, Peterson, etc.
He eventually argues that these misogynistic forces are not new and have only been thriving because of economic problems (capitalism yaaay) faced in the present.
As I really like this community I thought I give it a shot to post something. If I should try to give a broader summary of the video please feel free to tell me.
Thanks for reading :)
I get it (and I appreciate you posting this) but I’m just not sure how this is “the Left’s” fault.
To me, this argument feels similar to all the people who unironically claim all political problems are due to Democrats – health care, student loan debt, queer rights… apparently never considering Republicans culpable or responsible. One side is the adults that can be blamed for faults and must be expected to do better, and the other side are children who are either ignored or, worse, applauded for doing the bare minimum.
Similarly, I think saying that “the Left has failed men” is a vast oversimplification. The Right is persuasive and doesn’t need things like “rightness,” “truth,” or “morality” on their side. Saying that your problems are due to, say, women or gays is a much easier sell than actually addressing your problems by trying to work on yourself and the masculinity you can interact with.
Yep it lacks a lot of nuance.
The right have also vertically integrated their problems into society. Capitalism and patriarchy are the problems, and the right also conveniently offer the solutions while reenforcing the causes of the problems.
The left’s solution to these problems is to try and change the system itself. Which is great, but does little to help people suffering under it.
The left has no easy solution to the right’s problems.
I wholeheartedly agree but I would also argue that F.D. has a similar take at least the way I see it.
I would say he argues that while right grifters are nothing new they were usually not as successful and medially present as they are today. He attributes this to the fact that media engagement is the only metric that counts and that any sharing of a video leads to it being more present in the algorithm. Additionally he argues that in the past most men were able to eventually get a job and support themselves and a family and that with the rise of neoliberalism and worsening wages and inflation the rate of men who are able to do that has shrunk drastically leading to a rise of mental health illnesses but also suicides and other Deaths of Despair. Which have become a somewhat breeding ground for grifters to enrapture more men to their cause with their false promises.
Finally he argues that it is not in the interest to even try to appeal to men the same way the right does as it is - as you have yourself stated - fundamentally antithetical to our causes and beliefs. But that the focus should always be placed on changing the system and being active in our communities. And that changes to the system have to be understood as being beneficial to men as well (duh!).
So I think maybe my framing of his video was a bit too shallow, but thank you for posting your comment. I feel the same way especially in that “the left has failed men” has become an incredible oversimplification for a multilayered problem
The problem with modern right-wing and manosphere grifters is the internet, social media and algorithms giving them platform and reach - that they would never have gotten otherwise. Think Tate without internet. But with internet all you need is be entertaining and understand the algorithms - and you will get the reach to sell you ideas or junk.
Politics, on the left and right, is about taking people’s struggles and suffering and giving them purpose, meaning, and catalyzing them to action that will improve their situation and society.
The left used to be the party of the people, peaking in the new deal era of the 30’s. After the great depression into the baby boomer era and the early 2000’s, middle class white men and boys had it pretty good and lost interest in leftist ideology instead adopting to the “got mine” right wing libertarianism typical of the era. The left in this time focused on minorities and women who had a lot to gain from progressive socialist ideology and political action with great success in this front.
With this historical focus on minorities and women it’s easy to forget that socialism is about the power of what can be achieved by working together instead of on your own. Young boys and men right now are crying out to join something and work together. Their suffering is caused by the patriarchy and their needs are well aligned with leftist ideology. If we capture them we have a chance at locking down DECADES of strong leftist and progressive policies and putting a full generation of gap from racism and bigotry. If we give up young boys and men to the right we’re going to be locked into the current situation where we’re barely able to keep fascism at bay.
Just to give some examples, the suffering of young men and boys is broad and spread across many aspects of society from education
- lower grades
- lower post secondary education
- cuts to physical education
- reduced recess
- lack of male mentorship in schools
To general success in society
- toxic masculinity
- Lower job prospects due to lower academic achievements
- lack of social networks
- difficulty maintaining friendships and support networks
- inability to bond emotionally with peers due to repressive gender norms
To the problems we all share
- lower incomes
- need for better infrastructure
- Need for cities with lower cost of living (walkable cities, public transit, affordable housing)
- regulating corporate greed
I could go on, but the point of this list is to show just how well aligned the needs of boys and young men are with socialism and anti-patriarchal ideology. We could have better schools and a more loving and accepting human-centered society for all.
I frankly can’t believe the right is winning this fight when they have NO SOLUTIONS TO OFFER AT ALL. Right now all the right is doing is saying “Yes you’re suffering. It’s society’s fault, they repress you because they fear your ‘innate superiority’. Come with us and we’ll show you what you need to destroy to be happy and reclaim your rightful place” Then they point to all the leftist stuff and vaguely gesture that it’s causing suffering without real supporting facts.
I honestly believe that victory is at hand, we just need to grasp it. The only way to lose is to ignore this massive opportunity.
