Power structures or power systems play a central role in the woke perspective. Woke theories examine the effects of systemic power structures on multiple levels using critical theories (including social, institutional, discursive, and epistemic).276 In particular, processes of socialisation are considered, through which societal expectations and behaviours are transmitted. Society is allegedly structured in such a way that power structures maintain themselves without determined intervention.
Inequalities are considered proof of oppression. The social philosopher and economist Thomas Sowell has extensively shown why this view is too simplistic: from the fact that discrimination can influence success, it does not follow that success is primarily conditioned by power structures.277 Otherwise, for example, the above-average successes of Indians in the USA could only be explained by secret power structures.278
Woke activists deal intensively with power structures.279 In the woke perspective, power is maintained primarily through institutions and so-called “dominant ideologies”. Certain ideologies of a society are considered dominant if they are reinforced in all institutions and are hardly contestable (so-called “metanarratives”). The societal hegemony of certain institutions leads people to recognise the metanarratives as truth. From the perspective of critical whiteness, systemic racism is such a metanarrative.280 To make oppression visible, dominant discourses are to be analysed and problematised (see Deconstruction).
Oppression is theorised with the help of numerous critical theories: Critical Race Theory (CRT) examines power structures regarding ethnicity; queer theory regarding gender, norms, and sexuality; postcolonial theory regarding international relations. Intersectionality describes the entire “matrix of domination”, i.e., intersectionality is to explain how multiple power structures regarding different identities interact.281
In short: woke activists believe that privileged groups oppress all others in an ominous way. Comprehensive societal solidarity is necessary, as otherwise dominant groups will resist the loss of their privileges.