Why Are Nations So Divided? Trump, Brexit, and the Struggle for Status | David Goodhart | Big Think | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The content discusses the divide between educated and mobile "Anywheres" and rooted "Somewheres" in society, and the impact on politics and cultural dynamics.

Key Insights

• 🫚 Modern societies are divided between educated and mobile "Anywheres" and rooted "Somewheres."
• 👥 Anywheres prioritize openness and autonomy, while Somewheres value security and group attachments.
• 🥺 The dominance of Anywheres in politics has led to feelings of exclusion and instability amongst Somewheres, manifesting in events like Brexit and Trump's election.
• ❓ The emergence of sociocultural politics challenges traditional socioeconomic politics.
• 🚱 The increased number of Anywheres and the erosion of stories for non-achievers have heightened the significance of this division.
• 🥺 The disappearance of middling jobs has led to a loss of status and recognition for many individuals.
• 👔 The cultural divide between Anywheres and Somewheres is closely tied to issues of status, recognition, and social honor.

Transcript

My book is basically about the value divides in modern societies. I focused a lot on Britain, but I think a lot of it applies to America too. And I'm talking about not so much the kind of elite/non-elite divide—when we talk about elites we often mean I think the top three or five percent of the population—I’m talking about a much bigger divide betw... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What distinguishes Anywheres from Somewheres?

Anywheres value openness and autonomy, have weaker group attachments, and derive their sense of self from personal achievements. Somewheres, on the other hand, prioritize security, have stronger group attachments, and derive their identity from particular places and groups.

Q: How has the dominance of Anywhere priorities affected society?

Anywhere priorities, which emphasize cognitive abilities and the achievement society, have led to societies where cognitive elites dominate. This has marginalized those who are not part of the cognitive elite, leading to feelings of alienation and disconnection.

Q: Why has the division between Anywheres and Somewheres become politically significant?

The emergence of sociocultural politics, which focus on security and identity, has challenged the traditional socioeconomic politics. Additionally, the growth in the number of Anywheres and the erosion of stories for non-achievers have heightened the importance of this division.

Q: What impact does the disappearance of middling jobs have on society?

The disappearance of jobs that required experience rather than high cognitive ability has led to a loss of status and recognition for many individuals. This cultural issue is closely tied to stagnant wages and has contributed to the social honor crisis.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content explores the division between educated "Anywheres" and rooted "Somewheres" in modern societies, focusing on Britain and America.

• "Anywheres" value openness and autonomy, while "Somewheres" prioritize security and group attachments.

• The dominance of Anywheres in politics and policy-making has led to Brexit and Trump, indicating the need for better inclusion of Somewheres.