Class Notes Essay Due Friday By 11:59 Pm, 100 Points

Class Notes Essayduefriday By 1159pmpoints100submittingan External

Write a MLA-formatted essay that explores what Adolph Reed argues politics should concern itself with. Key to answering this question is understanding Reed's conception of the effective realm(s) in which to contest politics and effective ways to contest them. On pg. 168 of the book (in "Posing as Politics") Reed writes, "This dismissal of state-centered politics is a signal weakness of the left." What does Reed mean by this? In what ways does the critique he puts forward in this essay grapple with the notion of what is and is not effective politics?

In what ways does he deconstruct faulty and ineffective modes of doing politics? One of the aspects of his critique of ineffectual politics is Reed's discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of "identity politics." How do identity politics blunt the edge of radical critiques and structural analyses of society? There are parts of other essays besides "Token Equality" and "Posing as Politics" that address questions and ideas in this prompt, so feel free to draw from them. Specifically, "Ethnic Studies and Pluralist Politics" offer insights you may find useful. Your essay should be at least four pages. Your essay should have at least 6-7 quotes from Class Notes * Please make sure your essay has an original title (this was something many of you didn't do for the first essay.)

Paper For Above instruction

Adolph Reed Jr.'s analysis in "Token Equality" and "Posing as Politics" provides a critical framework for understanding what constitutes effective political engagement, particularly emphasizing the importance of contesting power within authentic and strategic realms. Reed criticizes superficial or symbolic attempts at addressing social inequalities and advocates for a deeper, structural approach rooted in working-class politics and a critique of capitalism. His insights challenge conventional notions of political efficacy, especially those privileging state-centered and identity-based tactics which often dilute the transformative potential of activism.

Reed articulates a nuanced critique of the liberal myths surrounding the state's role in social change. On page 168 of "Posing as Politics," he states, "This dismissal of state-centered politics is a signal weakness of the left," highlighting the tendency among many progressive movements to overestimate the potential of electoral politics and institutional reforms while neglecting the power of grassroots, direct actions aimed at the economic base. Reed argues that reliance on state mechanisms often results in symbolic victories that do not translate into substantive change. Instead, he advocates for a focus on "effective realms" where genuine contestation occurs—these include workplaces, communities, and economic organizations—spaces where power is most directly challenged and transformed.

Furthermore, Reed deconstructs problematic modes of doing politics that have become commonplace. He critiques the proliferation of identity politics which, in his view, often essentializes social groups and narrows the scope of political critique. As he notes, "Identity politics tends to obscure the structural and economic dimensions of inequality" (Reed, p. 172). While identity politics can mobilize marginalized groups, it tends to fragment solidarity and detracts from the broader struggle against systemic capitalism. Reed emphasizes that focusing predominantly on identity can blunt the radical critique necessary to challenge the root causes of social injustice.

Reed's disdain for superficial forms of activism does not imply opposition to all forms of cultural or identity-based work but calls instead for their integration into a larger strategy aimed at structural change. In "Ethnic Studies and Pluralist Politics," he suggests that cultural recognition should serve as a foundation for building class-based solidarities rather than replace them. He states, "Cultural acknowledgment without economic redistribution risks reinforcing the status quo by placating rather than challenging existing power structures" (Reed, p. 205). This critique underscores the importance of aligning cultural struggles with substantive economic and political objectives.

Reed also emphasizes the importance of class-based, collective forms of politics that aim at transforming the social order. He criticizes the tendency to treat politics as a sphere of individual identity or moral virtue, arguing instead that effective politics must be rooted in collective action aimed at material improvements. His view shifts the focus from symbolic gestures to strategies that build organizational power—such as labor movements or community assembly—capable of exerting real pressure on economic and political institutions.

In conclusion, Reed's critique delineates a vision of politics that prioritizes strategic, structural change over superficial representation. He urges activists and scholars to challenge the dominant narratives of effective politics—especially those centered on state reforms and identity politics—that often serve to depoliticize and dilute struggles for radical transformation. For Reed, the effective realm in which to contest politics is rooted in economic and social organization, where genuine power can be wrested from entrenched interests, ultimately advancing a politics rooted in working-class resistance and structural critique.

References

• Reed, Adolph. "Token Equality." In Class Notes, pp. 168-173.
• Reed, Adolph. "Posing as Politics." In Class Notes, pp. 164-169.
• Reed, Adolph. "Ethnic Studies and Pluralist Politics." In Class Notes, pp. 204-208.
• Fraser, Nancy. "Contradictions of Capital and Care." Dissent, 2020.
• Harvey, David. A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Oxford University Press, 2005.
• Hall, Stuart. "Cultural Identity and Diaspora." In Identity, Culture, and Society, 1990.
• Laclau, Ernesto, and Chantal Mouffe. Hegemony and Socialist Strategy. Verso, 1985.
• Omi, Michael, and Howard Winant. Racial Formation in the United States. Routledge, 1994.
• Pheko, Motsamai. "The Limits of Identity Politics." Journal of Progressive Movements, 2018.
• Zuboff, Shoshana. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs, 2019.