Demoralization Theory Invoked to Explain 'Woke' Ideology's Societal Impact

Social media commentator Ian Miles Cheong recently highlighted the theories of former KGB defector Yuri Bezmenov, suggesting that "woke" ideology, which he posits has Marxist roots, is being propagated through the public education system. Cheong stated in a tweet, > "Yuri Bezmenov describes how 'woke' ideology, which has Marxist roots, is spread through the public education system to dismantle societies." This process, according to Cheong, leads to a state of demoralization, hindering individuals' ability to make rational decisions for their communities and nation.

Yuri Bezmenov, a Soviet journalist who defected to the West in 1970, gained prominence in the 1980s for his lectures on ideological subversion, also known as active measures or psychological warfare. Bezmenov asserted that the KGB dedicated a significant portion of its resources, approximately 85%, not to traditional espionage but to a long-term strategy of subversion aimed at weakening target nations from within. His framework outlines four distinct stages: demoralization, destabilization, crisis, and normalization.

The initial and most crucial phase, demoralization, is said to take 15 to 20 years—the time required to educate a new generation. During this period, the values, beliefs, and moral foundations of a society are systematically undermined through infiltration of institutions like education, media, and culture. Bezmenov emphasized that a demoralized population becomes unable to assess factual information objectively, even when presented with authentic proof, due to a reconditioned perception of reality.

Contemporary interpretations, such as Cheong's, apply Bezmenov's framework to modern social and political phenomena. The argument suggests that "woke" ideology, characterized as having Marxist underpinnings, is disseminated through educational channels to reshape societal values and perceptions. This deliberate ideological conditioning, according to the theory, aims to foster internal divisions and erode national cohesion.

The tweet further elaborates on the consequence of this alleged demoralization, stating that it "makes it hard for people to make rational decisions to protect their communities and their nation." This aligns with Bezmenov's assertion that a deeply demoralized populace loses the capacity for critical thinking and becomes susceptible to manipulation, ultimately compromising the society's resilience and ability to defend its core interests.