by Hannah H, Year 12
Tribalism has had an increasing effect in America on modern day politics having disastrous effects on the political system and the country as a whole. Tribalism (as defined by the Cambridge dictionary) is a very strong feeling of loyalty to a political or social group, so that you support them whatever they do. Although loyalty to a political or social group is not normally hostile it is the unconditional support of political parties that erodes political functionality. Whilst the United States has become a firmly two-party system there has always been some overlap shown through the existence of liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats. However, recently the overlap is becoming increasingly rare with blind tribalism rising significantly. Political tribalism damages political functionality in three main ways: violence actioned and encouraged by those on both sides of the political divide, an unwillingness to compromise, and an overall increase in hostility surrounding politics.
With tribalism increasing many Americans have forgotten or ignored the vital skill of hearing the other side out.
Violence caused by tribalism is significantly damaging the USA; demonstrated by the politically motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk. This shows tribalism at play with many on the left cheering and mocking his death. A quick search on social media to find the announcement of his death will show one of the top comments on the post: “womp womp”. As a result of Kirk’s political background, some people have forgotten the fact that he was a real person and not just an AI meme or irony. Furthermore, this example demonstrates how easy it is to share and encourage tribalism with around 2,600 people liking the comment (presumably in agreement) with many more likely seeing it. Although there is no exact left leaning or democratic equivalent to Kirk the same people who cheered for his death would be devastated by the assassination of one of their own.
This strict us versus them ideology manifesting as unfair standards creates a dangerous environment for America, shown by political violence increasing in the last two years. Americans (whether they realise it or not) hail political violence thus encouraging it more. For example, the shooting of Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione, the numerous assassination attempts on Trump, and of course the assassination of Kirk. With another quick search on TikTok I found a video comparing Luigi Magione to Superman as he was perp-walked by police, further demonstrating the idealisation of these people in American society by comparing Magione to a superhero. This creates political dysfunction because violence damages democracy. It does this through creating instability through a potential change of POTUS in the face of an assassination and degrading the core system which America holds dear.
Freedom of speech? Only if you’ve got my views.
(Otherwise, they might exercise other parts of their constitution.)
Without stable leadership policy paralysis occurs, with short term goals taking precedent without any concern for the future. This causes even longer-term failures of the system because America cannot progress if it is just trying to survive the term, with growth stagnating because of myopic goals. Furthermore, this absurdly acceptable political violence degrades the key principles that America stands on. Political violence threatens American’s right to free speech creating a fear around holding a certain political ideology. If people cannot fully express their ideas publicly without retaliation they may be more fearful to action this opinion in the ballot box.
If people do not vote truly at election time a serious problem occurs, undermining a key feature of democracy underpinning the legitimacy of government, causing further crisis down the line as a result of silent majorities. These underpin legitimacy because it demonstrates that a government is not acting with the consent of the governed with them now lacking a mandate to lead the country. Although the effects referred to here seem far off and unlikely, it only needs a light breeze to knock down these political dominoes - and arguably it's already happening. We cannot be ignorant of the snowball rolling America into political dysfunction. Especially as it is one of the most influential countries in the world. Political tribalism is a dangerous thing that sparks political violence and all its ugly consequences.
Furthermore, political dysfunction is created through an unwillingness to compromise and cooperate. Due to such strong sentiments surrounding emotive issues neither side is willing to relinquish any element of their ideas to appease the other. A prominent example of this is immigration, with this being a topic that no one wants to compromise on. Tribalism and refusal to compromise has widespread effects on American democracy with this particular issue shutting the government down for 76 days as a result of a lockdown in Congress. This damages democracy in the USA because people no longer believe in the system due to the effects of gridlock on ordinary citizens. Many were furloughed, forced to work without pay, and lost vital services. As a result of stubborn tribalism, America has to suffer the consequences. Disgruntlement and resentment against the system that does not work for them causes disorder and instability further causing violence and dysfunction. A key example of this is the Capitol riots in 2021 where many chose to blindly believe that the election had been rigged, caught in an echo chamber of lies refusing to accept a Democrat government, believing that it ignores them. As a result violence and chaos ensued. The effects of tribalism are dangerous and widespread trickling down from the houses of government to homes across America, causing unprecedented political, social, and economic instability and violence.
Furthermore, this situation is not getting better - a terrifying thought. According to a 2019 study “20% of Democrats and 15% of Republicans respond positively to the question: “Do you ever think: we’d be better off as a country if large numbers of [opposing party] in the public today just died?” ” This statement should worry you immensely. Random people “just [dying] ” is deemed acceptable based solely on their political views. Alternative opinions, although you may not agree with them, are a vital part of democracy because they uphold scrutiny because it questions the foundations of arguments and provides a suitable alternative. A lack of these opinions is a key mechanism in allowing totalitarian regimes to flourish because it allows the normality of a sole opinion to a point where all others are deafened and suppressed. Do not feel as though these effects are so long-term they are negligible. We are living through the effects of tribalism now. What may start as a few tremors can quickly turn into an earthquake.
As one can see, political tribalism in America can, does and will have a devastating impact. With tensions increasingly running high, fuel will only be added to the fire, creating quite the vicious cycle.
As an international observer presenting to an international audience this essay serves only as a commentary as opposed to a warning aimed to inspire change. However, America is not the only country that is or can be affected by tribalism. We can learn from their mistakes, adapt to create a future where our democracy is not as impacted by such blind, vicious, and self-isolating followings.
The bottom line: Just hear the other side out.
