Liberalism is a political and social philosophy that advocates for individual freedom, democracy, and equal rights for all. However, scratch the surface of many self-professed liberals, and you may find a different story. Many so-called liberals are actually closet aristocrats, who have little regard for the working class and are more interested in maintaining their own privilege and power.

The Hypocrisy of the Liberal Elite

The liberal elite often claim to be champions of the working class, but their actions speak louder than their words. They may talk about the need for a living wage and affordable healthcare, but they send their own children to private schools and have no problem paying their domestic staff poverty wages. They may condemn corporate greed and the influence of big money in politics, but they have no problem hobnobbing with billionaires and attending exclusive fundraisers.

The Rise of Corporate Liberalism

Corporate liberalism is a term used to describe the growing trend of big business aligning itself with liberal causes. While this may seem like a positive development, it often results in a watered-down version of liberalism that is more concerned with maintaining the status quo than achieving real change. Corporate liberals may support LGBTQ rights and environmental protections, but they are less likely to support policies that would redistribute wealth or challenge the power of the corporate elite.

The Limits of Identity Politics

Identity politics is the practice of organizing political movements around shared identity markers such as race, gender, sexuality, and religion. While identity politics has been an important tool for marginalized groups to assert their rights and demand representation, it has its limits. Many liberals have embraced identity politics as a way to signal their own virtue and ally themselves with oppressed groups, but they often fail to address the root causes of inequality and oppression.

The Myth of Meritocracy

Meritocracy is the idea that people should be rewarded based on their abilities and achievements, rather than their social status or connections. While this may sound like a fair and just system, in practice, it often serves to reinforce existing power structures. Many liberals believe in the myth of meritocracy, and argue that the best way to achieve social justice is to provide equal opportunity for all. However, this ignores the fact that many people are born into circumstances that make it nearly impossible to succeed, no matter how talented or hardworking they are.

The Need for a Genuine Left

While liberalism may have been a progressive force in the past, its limitations have become increasingly clear in recent years. To truly challenge the power of the elite and achieve real social justice, we need a genuine left movement that is unafraid to confront the root causes of inequality and oppression. This means rejecting the myth of meritocracy and embracing policies that challenge the power and privilege of the elite.

The Importance of Solidarity

One of the key principles of any left movement is solidarity. Solidarity means standing with and supporting others who are fighting for justice, even if their struggles do not directly affect us. It means recognizing that our struggles are interconnected, and that we cannot achieve real change unless we work together. Solidarity is the antidote to the individualism and selfishness that often characterizes liberalism and the elite.

Conclusion

Scratch a liberal, and you may find a closet aristocrat. However, this does not mean that all liberals are hypocrites or that liberalism is inherently flawed. Rather, it is a reminder that we must be vigilant in our analysis of political ideologies and movements, and that we must always be willing to challenge the status quo and demand real change.