The Trouble with Diversity by Walter Benn Michaels Summary

The Trouble with Diversity critiques how contemporary focus on racial, gender, and cultural diversity distracts from systemic economic inequality. Michaels argues that identity politics serves as a “smokescreen” for class-based disparities, allowing institutions to appear progressive while maintaining wealth gaps. The book challenges readers to prioritize economic reform over superficial diversity initiatives.

This book is essential for readers interested in social justice, political theory, or critiques of neoliberalism. It appeals to those skeptical of corporate diversity programs, educators discussing intersectionality, and activists seeking to reframe debates about equality beyond identity categories. Michaels’ provocative style suits audiences open to challenging mainstream progressive narratives.

Yes, particularly for its contrarian perspective on modern liberalism. While controversial, Michaels’ analysis of how diversity discourse perpetuates economic injustice remains relevant to debates about affirmative action, corporate ESG goals, and wealth redistribution. Its accessible arguments make complex socioeconomic critiques digestible for general readers.

1. Diversity as deflection: Corporations and institutions use diversity rhetoric to avoid addressing wealth inequality.
2. Race vs. class: Racial identity politics cannot resolve systemic poverty affecting all marginalized groups.
3. Meritocracy myths: The focus on equal opportunity ignores how capitalism inherently produces unequal outcomes.
4. Anti-redistribution: Elite “diversity” initiatives often replace substantive economic reforms.

Michaels asserts that treating race as a primary social issue obscures how class inequality disproportionately harms Black, Latino, and working-class communities. He contends that solving economic disparities—through policies like progressive taxation—would disproportionately benefit people of color while uniting broader coalitions across racial lines.

The book accuses liberals of prioritizing cultural representation (e.g., diverse corporate boards) over material changes like union support or wage increases. Michaels argues this allows elites to signal virtue while maintaining oligarchic wealth structures, calling it a “neoliberal appropriation of civil rights discourse”.

• “We love diversity—just don’t talk about redistribution”.
• “The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough Black CEOs; it’s that we have CEOs at all”.
• “Antiracism without anticapitalism is just another corporate strategy”.

Michaels criticizes affirmative action as a symbolic remedy that benefits primarily middle-class minorities while leaving structural class hierarchies intact. He argues race-based policies fracture potential class solidarity and divert energy from universal economic reforms like free college or healthcare.

Critics argue Michaels oversimplifies by pitting race against class, ignoring how racism independently perpetuates inequality. Others note his dismissal of identity-based movements (e.g., Black Lives Matter) overlooks their role in challenging both racial and economic oppression. Some call his solutions—like abolishing inheritance—unrealistically utopian.

The book condemns corporate DEI training and hiring quotas as performative gestures that fail to address low wages or union suppression. Michaels suggests companies exploit diversity metrics to justify stagnant pay, outsourcing, and union-busting under the guise of progressive values.

Michaels advocates for wealth redistribution policies:

• 90% inheritance tax above $1 million
• Universal public healthcare and education
• Strengthened labor unions and wage floors
• Abolition of legacy college admissions

Unlike Ibram X. Kendi’s focus on systemic racism, Michaels argues antiracism alone cannot achieve equality without anticapitalism. While Kendi emphasizes race-specific policies, Michaels posits universal class-based reforms as more effective for racial and economic justice.

With global wealth gaps widening post-pandemic, Michaels’ critique of diversity theater resonates amid debates about AI-driven job loss, climate austerity, and billionaire space races. The book’s warnings about “woke capitalism” predate recent corporate controversies like Google’s diversity walkbacks.

The final chapter urges readers to reject “diversity as consolation prize” and demand radical wealth redistribution. Michaels calls for a renewed leftist movement that unites workers across racial lines through shared class interests, rather than fragmented identity politics.