Why Workers Feel So Desperate Now

Workers today are registering record lows in political and institutional trust and have low expectations for their own future. Why are we so glum? Why is this such a political risk?

The Rise and Fall of Economic Optimism

Humans may be biologically predisposed towards an optimistic bias, but that can change in adverse circumstances. All complex animals are reactive systems that respond adaptively to changes in the level of threat to which they perceive. If there are a lot of predators around, mammals, birds, and reptiles become much more cautious in their behavior. They stay hidden for as long as possible and remain in their lairs during times when predators are active. They spend less time exploring their environment because doing so exposes them to the watchful eyes of predators.

One consequence of this behavioral flexibility is that prey animals living on islands where there are few large predators, become extremely tame and have no fear of humans. Hence the demise of the dodo and other large birds soon after being contacted by people.

The Connection of Economic Depressions and Political Conservatism

People are similarly flexible and are much more risk-averse during difficult economic times, like recessions. They prioritize survival needs like shelter and food and pay less attention to expressive needs such as painting or writing music.

Survival needs are promoted by strengthening family ties and ethnic affiliations given that kin look out for each other in accordance with kin selection theory. Similarly, emphasis on ethnic/tribal identity solidifies bonds with people who are like us and therefore likely to help us out when we are in need.

During difficult economic times, people become more conservative in their political affiliations. So, it makes sense that conservative parties tend to be ethnocentric, to emphasize material success, and to be highly family-oriented. In contrast, liberal parties are more open to people from diverse ethnic groups in addition to being more intellectually curious and more interested in expressive needs but less concerned with material success (1).

In addition to being more survival-oriented, conservatives see the world as a dangerous place which is why they emphasize the need for strong government, and strong policing to keep lawless elements in line.

It follows that when we experience favorable economic conditions, we are more optimistic and more politically liberal. Hence the association of favorable economic conditions during much of the 20^th century with an age of optimism and the rise of democracy around the globe, In recent years, the optimism has faded and there was a marked rise of extreme right-wing political views even to the extent of dusting off Hitler's rhetoric about ethnic minorities. If we understand why people became so glum, we can rationalize the reemergence of Fascism into mainstream life.

The Theory of Repeated Blows

Current worker discontent may have origins in the devastating economic crisis of 2008 that brought the world's major economies to the brink of financial collapse. In the aftermath, many workers lost their jobs and were forced to walk away from their homes. The banks were bailed out by taxpayers to avert a 1929-style run on the banks followed by a deep recession.

These events inspired an Occupy Wall Street movement that pushed Bernie Sanders into position as a possible US President. Sanders lost the Democratic nomination.

This deflating episode for American workers was followed by the chaos of the Covid-19 epidemic managed in the US by the third worst administration in history according to historians. This led to global supply chain disruption and severe inflation that made it increasingly difficult for ordinary people to make ends meet. The pandemic also increased social isolation as adults worked from home and children learned remotely. This increased exposure to social media and hate-filled news coverage and was followed by an epidemic of anxiety and depression among other mental health problems, including marital conflict.

All this trauma was followed by historically low workplace engagement of US, British, and European workers. Researchers identified unfair treatment by bosses, unmanageable workload, unclear directions from managers, and unreasonable time pressures as major reasons that employees tuned out at work. Struggling to make a living when executives take home huge salaries must also be demotivating.

What It All Means

The historical context we used to think of as normal involved steadily improving living conditions, health, and well-being. We are currently experiencing times of increased stress from multiple sources.

Under such conditions, survival needs are emphasized more than self-expression. Instead of being optimistic about the future, we have lower expectations about our personal future. On the personal side, such circumstances are conducive to increased alienation, depression, drug abuse, and crime. On the political side, extreme right-wing movements seem the biggest beneficiaries. If history is any guide, we can also expect a resurgence of left-wing revolutionary fervor as well.