The Problem of Tribalism in Politics Term Paper

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Tribalism on Both Sides

Introduction

On both sides of the political aisle, the problem of tribalism has emerged. Tribalism is a kind of loyalty to one’s own tribe or group, based not so much on ideas and issues as it is on the feeling that the opposition must be united against—i.e., it is my-team-vs.-their-team mentality. Rather than being able to argue logically and unemotionally, tribalism in politics occurs when one side feels it can and should do anything to promote its side over the other. A case in point is the recent hearing of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. The Democrats displayed tribalism from the very beginning, promising to do whatever it took to oppose the nomination. Republicans for the most part struck back, vowing to do oppose the opposition of the Democrats. As Ornstein (2014) notes, the problem in Washington is, clearly and simply, tribalism. It is what prevents true bipartisanship and what prevents any real progress from actually taking place. This paper will show that the causes of tribalism in politics are rooted in a) identity politics, b) scorn for those who do not agree with one’s own view, c) a lack of a leadership, and d) fragmentation of society.

Causes

Identity politics, as Betz (2003) indicates, is one of the main drivers of tribalism: by focusing issues on national or cultural or communal identity, groups on both sides of the aisle end up engaging in tribalism—a type of thinking that demonstrates an eagerness to put everything into its own special box with its own label.

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They want to label everyone and everything, even if the label is only superficially appropriate. It leads to prejudice and fosters fear. It creates an atmosphere of antagonism and extreme competition. Out of this atmosphere the feeling of needing to stick to one’s own tribe arises, as one begins to fear that all other groups and labels are out to get them.

Tribalism, however, would still not be possible were it not for the way in which people nurse a feeling of scorn for anyone who is different or who holds opinions that are different from one’s own. This has been seen on both the right and the left sides of the political aisle: bullies approaching Trump supporters in a restaurant; members of the far-right holding rallies that promote hatred and violence. The scorn that emanates from such groups for anything that is different or distinct from their own ways of thinking helps to create the atmosphere needed for tribalism, too. So it starts with identity politics, but scorn helps to get the motor revving.

A lack of leadership is another factor that enables tribalism to occur. Real leaders do not necessarily seek to divide communities and drive people apart. Martin Luther King, Jr., for example,….....

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References

Betz, H. G. (2003). Xenophobia, identity politics and exclusionary populism in Western Europe. Socialist Register, 39(39).

Ornstein, N. (2014). What\'s Wrong with W ashington? Tribalism. Governance, 27(2), 179-183.

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