The New Inquisition: Woke and Cancel Culture Vs. Western Societies

Authors

  • Thomas D. Zweifel University of St. Gallen (HSG) & ThomasZweifel.com, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35478/jime.2024.3.03

Keywords:

cancel culture, woke agenda, LGBTQ , DEI, United States, Europe, The West, values

Abstract

This article examines how the “woke” agenda and cancel culture have entered the mainstream culture in key areas of Western society, including politics and law, business and healthcare, education and science, literature and even sexuality. The article identifies five causes. Are woke and cancel culture merely fad and fashion, akin to a pendulum swing that will swing back, or do these cultural changes indicate a seismic shift in Western culture that will be irreversible since it has gained a foothold on institutions, laws and norms? If the change is permanent, if ideology and dogma trump freedom of thought, if people’s race or ethnicity, gender or class determine whether they are victim or oppressor, then the foundations of the Enlightenment—such as liberty, self-determination and tolerance—are being eroded. Finally, the article explores ways to stop and even reverse the trend toward ideological dogma and restore the Judeo-Christian core values and ethics of Western societies.

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Published

2024-11-28

Issue

Section

Articles