In “The War Against ‘Woke Capitalism’ in the EU,” Nigel Farage’s campaign against “woke capitalism” is gaining attention in the European Union as politicians look to replicate his success. Farage’s criticism of a bank that dropped him due to his political views has garnered support from Euroskeptic parties across the continent. The attack on “woke capitalism” is a strategy employed by far-right parties to diversify their issues and appeal to a broader base by highlighting an out-of-touch elite’s focus on climate change and diversity instead of ordinary citizens’ concerns. This trend mirrors a similar one in the United States, where Republicans have criticized big business for pursuing progressive values. The concept of “woke capitalism” originated as a way to criticize companies for advertising their social and environmental credentials without implementing genuine change, but now it is being utilized by populists to condemn big business for going too far. Moving away from the focus on immigration, far-right parties are incorporating “woke capitalism” into their platforms, with the aim of connecting it to the European Union in the upcoming European elections. The success of Farage’s campaign has shown how populists are reframing their pitch and finding a new enemy in the so-called “woke elite.” As far-right parties gain influence throughout Europe, traditional conservative parties are adopting similar policies to appeal to voters. The rightward shift can also be observed within the EU, as the biggest conservative bloc obstructs green laws to appeal to a base leaning towards the far right. The upcoming EU elections may result in a “populist Parliament,” with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group projected to gain seats. Michiel Hoogeveen, a Dutch ECR MEP, argues that there are valid concerns about whether companies are prioritizing their shareholders and long-term profitability. Activists’ influence over traditionally successful companies has become a point of contention, particularly regarding their approach to addressing climate change. Ultimately, the war against “woke capitalism” may gain traction based on the state of the European economy, as voters fear they are losing out to others who are reaping the rewards.
The War Against ‘Woke Capitalism’ in the EU
The war against “woke capitalism” is making its way to the European Union (EU), led by Nigel Farage, the man behind Brexit. Farage’s rallying cry against woke capitalism is resonating with Euroskeptic parties across the continent who want to mobilize their base against an establishment they believe is neglecting the real concerns of the people. As Europeans prepare to go to the polls next year, Farage’s clash with a bank that dropped him over his political views has already caught the attention of EU politicians who hope to convince voters that the elite is too focused on issues like climate change and diversity to address their needs.
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Woke Nonsense
Farage recently came under fire after exclusive private bank Coutts decided to sever ties with him, calling him a “disingenuous grifter” in an internal memo. Farage took to social media to express his frustration, stating that banks should focus on providing banking services instead of promoting social and political values. He criticized what he deemed as “woke nonsense” and argued that it has gone too far. Farage’s clash with Coutts garnered significant media attention and garnered support from both ends of the political spectrum, making it a textbook victory for him. European politicians now aim to replicate this success.
While many agree that Farage had valid grievances regarding his treatment by Coutts, there is little evidence to suggest that British politicians are losing access to banking services due to their politics. Nonetheless, Farage was able to position himself as a victim against the banking establishment, resonating with ordinary people and fueling the image of an out-of-touch elite. The far-right sees this as an opportunity to target banks as a scapegoat, amplifying their populist rhetoric against the supposed “elite.”
Left-Wing Millennials
The term “woke capitalism” originated as a criticism of companies that use environmental or social credentials as part of their marketing strategies to appeal to left-wing millennials without genuinely changing their business practices. However, the political right has adopted this term to criticize big business for going too far. In the U.S., Republican lawmakers have held hearings targeting money managers pursuing green investment strategies. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also clashed with Disney over the corporation’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
However, the flaw in the populists’ argument is that many of the companies they attack, including banks, are not genuinely “woke” by various metrics. European banks, for example, lack diversity in their boards and have minimal environmentally friendly loans on their books. While there may be concerns about “debanking” certain businesses due to anti-money laundering regulations, this is unrelated to the issues Farage raised. Populist politicians have seized on the concept of woke capitalism to advance their agenda, even if the companies they target are not truly aligned with progressive values.
Electoral Payoff
The war against woke capitalism represents a reframing of the populists’ pitch, as they realize that immigration as a political issue has reached its electoral ceiling. Parties on the far-right are now looking to connect the idea of woke capitalism, or various aspects of it, with the European Union in the upcoming elections. Traditional conservative parties, in an attempt to win back voters, have adopted some of the policies and rhetoric of the far-right.
This rightward shift is evident within the EU as well, with the biggest conservative bloc, the European People’s Party, obstructing green laws to appeal to a base that is flirting with more extreme right-wing parties. Polls suggest that the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes far-right parties, could gain seats in the EU elections next year. This potential outcome has led to predictions of an unpredictable “populist Parliament.”
Hijacked by Activists
The concept of woke capitalism has not gained significant traction in the EU due to the ongoing debate surrounding climate change and the definition of green energy sources. However, there are legitimate concerns about whether companies are truly acting in the best interests of their shareholders and long-term profitability. Some argue that companies have been “hijacked” by environmental activists, potentially compromising their ability to generate profits in the future.
Ultimately, the success of the war against woke capitalism hinges on the state of the European economy. Fear of losing out and concerns about the distribution of rewards and benefits have been central to the far-right’s appeal. If voters believe that the elite and big business are prioritizing their own interests over those of the people, the populist narrative against woke capitalism may gain further traction. The battle against woke capitalism is not just about specific issues but taps into broader societal anxieties about inequality and the perceived detachment of the elite from the concerns of ordinary citizens.