Eight Capitalist Identities — Which one are you?
Inspired by Barnor Hesse’s eight white identities
1. Capitalist Supremacist
Clearly identifies themselves as a capitalist, and actively tries to preserve, name and value a capitalist society.
2. Capitalist Voyeurism
Wouldn’t challenge a capitalist supremacist. May desire non-capitalism because it’s interesting, pleasurable. Seeks to control the consumption and appropriation of non-capitalism. Fascination with the lower classes (ex: consuming ‘poor culture’ without the burden of poverty; middle-class fetishising working-class culture).
3. Capitalist Privilege
May critique the excesses of capitalism, but has a deep investment in questions of fairness/equality under the normalisation of capitalist rule.
4. Capitalist Benefit
Sympathetic to a set of issues but only privately. Won’t speak/act in solidarity publicly because benefiting through capitalism in public (some marginalised people in this category as well)
5. Capitalist Confessional
Occasional exposure of capitalism can take place, but as a way of being accountable to marginalised people after. Seeks validation from marginalised people.
6. Capitalist Critical
Takes on board critiques of capitalism and invests in exposing/marking the capitalist regime. Refuses to be complicit with the regime. Capitalists speaking back to capitalists.
7. Capitalist Traitor
Actively refuses complicity. Names what’s going on. Intent on subverting capitalist authority and tell the truth at whatever cost. Needs them to dismantle capitalist institutions.
8. Capitalist Abolitionist
Changing institutions, dismantling capitalism, and not allowing capitalism to reassert itself.
