Part 5/9:
Reflecting on the 1990s, when the political climate was marked by optimism following the end of the Cold War, Sandel recalls distinct strains of discontent that went unnoticed amid the prevailing sense of victory. Underneath the surface of apparent prosperity, the growing disenchantment of the working class foreshadowed the political upheaval that would come in later decades. The neoliberal project—with its promise of globalization—failed to deliver on its potential for many, resulting in deepening economic inequalities. This sense of disempowerment has contributed to anger and resentment, which has been effectively harnessed by populist movements.