Anywheres and Somewheres, brilliant!
In David Goodhart's book, "The Road to Somewhere: The New Tribes Shaping British Politics," the writer provides a narrative to the frustration manifested in the rise of the populist last year. Explaining the polarization by providing two new monikers to political lexicon, Anywheres and Somewheres, that he uses to demonstrate the impact globalization without concurrent growth in government structures has had on society. He fashions Anywheres as well educated elites, who are economically mobile using what he deems "portable, achieved identities" which allow them to revel in their mobility, removing any sense of connection to their home state/community. Somewheres are the polar opposites, under-educated for today's vast technical marketplace, some just by as much as a decade removed from viable technical skills. These sad souls are functionally rooted with ascribed identities -- such has Cornish housewife, West Virginia coal miner, etc. Of course, their prospects are worlds apart, as Anywheres are able to locate where most propitious, socialize with those in their inner circle and accumulate wealth that generally resembles passive income. Whereas, Somewheres are salaried or hourly compensated, caught in the global move towards wage equilibrium and unable to relocate or reeducate as a result.
Anywheres exist due to global markets outpacing the corporate structure in societal evolution. This has contributed to a void of responsibility as the implied bargain between country and shareholder is usurped by globalization and technology. The implied bargain whereby shareholders receive limited liability in exchange for tax revenue, employment and money velocity has been disrupted with “Anywheres” able to exploit without consequences.
What’s required now is a change in the global corporate structure whereby seven year renewals are required and reports on Social Benefit are implemented. Tax rates and regulatory adherence could be judged and adjusted based on social relevance. The result would be increased focus on using the corporate entity to benefit more than only a small segment of the population. It certainly would reduce external costs, which are currently being manifested via Populism and separating us into Anywheres and Somewheres.
Mr. Goodhart's book enlightens us to this polarization while providing tools we can use in discourse to describe the phenomenon. If Progressives are to push out the neo-liberalist and the financialization of everything, we must be able to identify the source of resistance and we can now ascertain its truly coming from Anywheres.