Unfortunately it tends to be the left that occupy a place of zero aspiration whilst the right play into that core belief that you're the hero of your own journey. I think it's less to do with the ruling class and more to do with having aspirations and an economic policy that rewards hard work. Most people (despite any evidence to the contrary) think they are hard working and valued members of society capable of contributing great things. It's everyone else who is a nuisance.

Identity politics over economic policy is going to be the biggest threat to democratic stability in the West. You can regulate against economic inequality, you can vote for change - you can't do this as easily with identity politics - an unwieldy beast that's difficult to put back in the box once you get it out to play with it.