Accessibility Tools

Skip to main content

The Economist, the Oldest Magazine in Continual Publication, Publishes America Becoming Less "Woke"

Written on .

Supposedly the oldest magazine in continual publication, The Economist, published in London, has devoted its September 21-27, 2024, edition to America becoming less "woke."  The magazine notes that the greatest decline in woke thinking has been among young people and those on the Left, apparently because it has become associated with the most strident activists, who tend to divide the world into victims and oppressors.  The article goes on to discuss that wokeness is also in retreat in corporate America, even though it appeared there relatively recently.  The DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) concept still remains important to corporate America, however, although it peaked in the second quarter of 2021, but is still three times more common than before the death of George Floyd.  The share of new job listings that mention diversity continues to grow, but the number of people employed in DEI is recently down over 10%.  A part of the explanation is belt-tightening, while some suggest it springs from the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.  Another possibility is that corporations are taking note of declining public enthusiasm for corporate social activism.  Currently, less than half of the public think businesses should speak out on racial issues or LGBTQ rights, with the most dramatic example being that of Bud Light.  Interestingly, the magazine concludes that it is much more likely that there will be a revival in woke activism on the Left if Mr. Trump wins the election, compared with Ms. Harris.

This article is part of our November 2024 Newsletter. 

View newsletter online

Download the newsletter as a PDF

Get Email Updates

Receive newsletters and alerts directly in your email inbox. Sign up below.
sorry we're closed
For years the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) was a formidable enforcer of equal employment and affirmative action a…
birthday sign
Readers may be confused about the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Trump v. CASA and related cases, as part of the birthri…
woman looking through a telescope
In the last month of the Biden Administration, the EEOC issued a fact sheet on wearable technology under the anti-discrimination laws, “Wea…
cultural celebration
The concept of company culture is important for most employers.  It is important because it actually constitutes an operating system for em…
trans flag
There have been several recent developments concerning transgender rights.  Most interpret the Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Cl…
person using a computer at their desk, indoors
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has established a new web page for employers to submit requests for opinion letters to the Wage & Ho…