BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  How to Avoid the Culture War Trap: Lessons from USA on What NOT to Do

How to Avoid the Culture War Trap: Lessons from USA on What NOT to Do

Peter Beattie, Political Psychologist and Political Economist, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

23-Mar-23 15:00

How to Avoid the Culture War Trap: Lessons from USA on What NOT to Do

The world is becoming increasingly polarised. Whether it’s in the US, Europe or even Southeast Asia, which includes Malaysia, the increasing polarisation has often led to a focus on hot-button cultural issues at the expense of substantive policy discussions centred around political economy and class struggle. This phenomenon is known as the ‘culture wars.’ 

The culture wars can take many forms. In the US, the culture wars these days tend to centre around abortion rights, transgender bathrooms and Critical Race Theory. In Malaysia, the culture wars which have amped up dramatically since GE15 often revolve around the LGBTQ community and the sensitivities of Islam. 

But what are the consequences of falling into the culture war trap? And how can we avoid it?

We speak to Peter Beattie, a political psychologist and political economist from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). 


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  politicsgovernmentinternationalpersonal development

Tags:  lgbt culture warsabortion rightspoliticsmalaysian politicsglobal politicsusademocratsrepublicanspolarisationclass strugglecapitalismsocialism





Play / Pause

Listen now : What's The Focus: We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dan Ives, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities discusses whether AI still deserves 2025’s investor enthusiasm and explores new tech opportunities

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia analyses the impact of Bersatu’s resignations on the party’s future.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Dato’ Dr Wong Ruen Yuan, CEO & Managing Director of Smile-Link Healthcare Global Berhad talks about the company's troubles with audit and plans to profitability.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Damien Yeo, Senior Consumer & Retail Analyst, BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, lends insights into Malaysia's retail sector outlook.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal weighs in on his Bersatu appeal withdrawal and what this mean for the party.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tim Mulholland, President, TJM Limited, Chicago tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Dan Ives, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities discusses whether AI still deserves 2025’s investor enthusiasm and explores new tech opportunities

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Dr. Saifulhaziq Noorman, Founder, Kyno Primary Care

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Dato’ Dr Wong Ruen Yuan, CEO & Managing Director of Smile-Link Healthcare Global Berhad talks about the company's troubles with audit and plans to profitability.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

Tune in to find out about the latest happenings in the local arts scene, and get the lowdown on the best shows and exhibitions in town.

3:20 PM

Front Row

Tune in to find out about the latest happenings in the local arts scene, and get the lowdown on the best shows and exhibitions in town.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Doctor in the House

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die & Wuthering Heights + TBC

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector