Symbolic Capital(ism)

On Redistribution

Symbolic Capitalists love to take from the rich. We're less reliable about giving to others. It's a significant social problem.

Mar 4 • Musa al-Gharbi

305

20

100

January 2026

On Crime and Punishment

How my thinking on criminal justice issues evolved over the course of the “Great Awokening.”

Jan 20 • Musa al-Gharbi

165

7

45

Daniel Bell and Me

The sociologist and journalist is a big influence on my thinking – through his work, yes, but also his example

Jan 6 • Musa al-Gharbi

101

2

21

December 2025

2025 In Review

It was one hell of a year. It's over now. 2026 should be... interesting.

Dec 27, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

52

2

3

November 2025

A Graveyard of Bad NYC Mayoral Election Narratives

The electoral outcome and its drivers were far more banal than most seem willing to recognize.

Nov 11, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

140

1

38

October 2025

We Have Never Been Woke: Now Available in Paperback

With a new preface from the author and a lower price point, now is the perfect time to see what all the fuss is about.

Oct 7, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

66

1

10

September 2025

Inserting “Culture” Into the Culture Wars

Ideology and formal rules are less consequential than most seem to think. This matters for institutional reform.

Sep 29, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

144

5

43

Censorship is Primarily a Problem of Institutional Selection

College plays a big role in shaping the culture of the symbolic professions... but not for the reasons most think.

Sep 8, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

209

4

61

June 2025

Book Announcement: Those People

My second book is now officially under contract with Princeton University Press

Jun 16, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

122

19

22

The Cultural Contradictions of the Anti-Woke

Trumpworld could be hastening the next Great Awokening

Jun 4, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

177

54

May 2025

The Limitations of Partisan Politics

It'd be great if we could just party-line vote our way out of social problems, but that's not the world we live in.

May 9, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

115

8

33

March 2025

You Ask, I Answer: We Have Never Been Woke FAQ

My responses to reader and audience questions about the book and its themes

Mar 2, 2025 • Musa al-Gharbi

98

2

19