Political Tribes Summary

“In the competing cries of populists and anti-populists worldwide, tribalism is the undercurrent shaping human societies and their political dynamics.”

1. Humans are wired to form tribes

Humans naturally gravitate towards forming groups based on shared bonds. Whether it’s cultural, religious, ethnic, or ideological, humans seek comfort in belonging. This instinct isn’t just about inclusion; it’s also about excluding those who don’t belong. It’s the same driving force behind patriotism and sports fandoms.

Tribalism goes deeper than identity; it shapes how people behave once they join a tribe. Group identity can overpower individual priorities, making members act selflessly for the tribe’s collective interest. This bond gives tribes their strength but also fosters hostility toward outsiders.

Overlooking tribalism often leads to misunderstandings. For example, in foreign policy, the U.S. has tended to view countries as single, cohesive entities rather than understanding internal divisions. By ignoring how deeply rooted tribal loyalties can be, interventions often misfire.

Examples

• Football fans cheer for their teams vigorously, often ridiculing rival clubs.
• U.S. policymakers assumed Afghanistan’s tribal groups could unify under a democratic government.
• Throughout history, religious sects have formed tribes, with members zealously defending their beliefs against outsiders.

2. Tribalism fuels power struggles

Tribes frequently compete for power and resources, and inequality can escalate this competition. In many nations, a minority tribe holds disproportionate wealth or influence, leading to resentment in the majority group. It becomes a struggle for balance, further deepening divisions.

The concept of the “market-dominant minority” illustrates how small, wealthy tribes often face backlash from less affluent majorities. These dynamics contributed to upheavals in places like Venezuela, where Hugo Chávez harnessed the majority's frustrations against the wealthier white minority.

Afghanistan offers another case. Its Tajik minority held substantial power and wealth, but the rise of the Taliban, supported by the Pashtun majority, inverted the hierarchy. Tribal power struggles in this region were exacerbated by external players like the U.S., who failed to see that local priorities often trumped global ideological conflicts.

Examples

• White elites in Venezuela were displaced by a darker-skinned majority under Chávez.
• In Afghanistan, U.S. aid unwittingly strengthened factions like the Taliban by misunderstanding tribal alignments.
• Decolonization struggles saw powerful minorities ousted in many African nations.

3. Overlooking tribal allegiances leads to failed foreign policies

The U.S. has repeatedly misread tribal dynamics when dealing with foreign nations. Policymakers often assume populations will rally around national identity or democracy, ignoring the importance of smaller tribal loyalties. The result has been one misstep after another.

Take Vietnam, where the U.S. joined the fight against communism, believing the conflict was ideological. But for many Vietnamese, the fight wasn’t about communism versus capitalism but against the Chinese market-dominant minority. By siding with South Vietnam, led by a faction benefiting the minority, the U.S. alienated locals and fueled resentment.

Similarly, in regions like Asia and the Middle East, the lack of understanding around tribal politics has led to unintended consequences. Failing to align with majority tribes or underestimating minority powers has weakened U.S. efforts to build stable alliances.

Examples

• The Vietnam War saw America misjudge anti-Chinese resentment as mere ideological dissent.
• In Iraq, the U.S. toppled Sunni dominance, inadvertently creating room for insurgency groups.
• Afghanistan’s tribal rivalries complicated U.S.-backed governance efforts.

4. Democracy doesn’t solve tribal power struggles

Moving from an authoritarian system to a democracy is rarely straightforward in tribal societies. A minority tribe that previously held considerable power may fear losing everything, while the majority might take revenge. This creates a vicious cycle of oppression and rebellion.

Iraq is a stark example. Sunni Muslims held power under Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime, but their displacement by the Shia majority after the U.S. invasion led to the rise of insurgent groups like ISIS. The transition process overlooked how much animosity existed between these groups.

Similar dynamics exist in nations transitioning from colonial rule, where minority elites often held outsized influence under colonial leaders. Once democracy arrived, they struggled to reconcile themselves with the demands of the majority. Without comprehensive planning, these transitions often lead to greater internal conflict.

Examples

• The overthrow of Saddam Hussein caused grievances among Sunni factions in Iraq.
• Post-colonial Africa saw tensions between tribal groups as power shifted.
• Various Afghan groups vied for dominance after the Soviet withdrawal.

5. Terrorist groups exploit tribal identity

Terrorist organizations frequently use tribal frustrations to recruit and expand their influence. Leaders of these groups are often well-off, educated individuals who understand how to stoke resentment among disenfranchised members of their tribe.

Osama bin Laden of al-Qaeda sought to create a trans-tribal identity among Muslims, pitting an imagined “us” against an “enemy” defined as America and its allies. Meanwhile, ISIS focused on rallying Sunni Muslims in opposition to Shia Muslims and the broader Western world.

Such tactics appeal to those who feel excluded or oppressed. Rejected by mainstream society, these individuals are drawn to a new tribal identity that promises empowerment. Western interventions in the Middle East, coupled with alienation of Muslim minorities at home, have inadvertently strengthened these groups.

Examples

• Al-Qaeda unified diverse tribes under a shared Islamist ideology.
• ISIS recruited discontented Sunnis with anti-Western rhetoric.
• Alienated Muslim youth in Western societies seek belonging in extremist groups.

6. U.S. politics has become tribalized

America itself is increasingly divided into tribal factions. The collapse of the Cold War-era political consensus gave rise to identity politics: instead of focusing on class, more emphasis was placed on cultural and racial groups.

The political left championed minority voices, which alienated some working-class whites who felt abandoned. This led to the formation of a new American tribe – poorer, largely white conservatives rallying against perceived elitism. Trump capitalized on their frustrations, as they felt left behind by the coastal elites.

Now, political discourse often resembles a clash between tribes rather than a debate about policy. Each side views the other with disdain, deepening polarizations in American society and political life.

Examples

• Trump’s election revealed deep socioeconomic divides.
• Working-class whites view the coastal elite as enemies of traditional American values.
• Liberal disdain for religious conservatives widens the cultural gap.

7. Tribal conflicts require human understanding

To bridge tribal divides, we need empathy and better communication. Name-calling and stereotyping only make divisions worse, solidifying people’s sense of alienation.

This approach also applies to America’s domestic divides. Instead of dismissing Trump voters as “hillbillies,” it’s more productive to understand why they feel alienated. Working-class whites face challenges like reduced life expectancy, making their anxieties real and valid.

At the same time, concerns about African Americans’ safety or Muslims’ treatment in Western societies must also be addressed sincerely. Recognizing the shared humanity of all parties is the first step toward resolving tension.

Examples

• Poor whites face declining life expectancy in the U.S.
• African Americans worry about police violence.
• Post-election, neighbors of different backgrounds have sat together to foster mutual understanding.

Takeaways

1. Understand that tribal loyalties often outweigh ideology or national interests when making decisions, whether in foreign policy or interpersonal communication.
2. Focus on empathy in political and social discussions; listening to different tribes' fears and challenges is the first step toward building bridges.
3. Redirect conversations away from stereotyping groups and toward real, human concerns that bring people together rather than divide them.