It does have very reactionary roots, although I think there's more to them than something just being borne out of reactionary views.

As a plot device it can set up and be explained by a lot of scenarios. A lot of its cultural endurance probably is down to it being an interesting scenario, and a scenario that's very easy for people to self insert to feel good about why they're a brain genius who totally would've survived the apocalypse.

I base these musings off nothing but vibes though, could be wrong.

Anyway, Shaun of The Dead has a funny little riff at the end about the post Zombie world and how we might treat these 'subhumans' after. The military clears things up pretty quickly (as they probably would), and then the remaining zombies are just used in challenge type obstacle course gameshows and stuff. Apart from the protagonists best friend Ed, who he keeps in his shed and attempts to rehabilitate by playing video games with him and sharing junk food.