Unlike established systems with clear rules (like Christianity), the modern left operates on "vague vibes" of ideological purity. This lack of a self-regulation mechanism creates a constant pressure to prove loyalty through extremism. As standards escalate, anyone who could provide a moderating influence is purged, leading to an endless cycle of radicalization.

The Epstein files show how internal party challengers can leverage a single, highly-charged issue to confront a dominant leader like Trump. This tactic allows figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene to gain national visibility and reshape their political brand, potentially shifting from extremist to 'reasonable' in the public eye.

Cable news and social media don't show the average person who votes differently. They blast the loudest, most cartoonish "professional lunatics" from the opposing side. This creates a false impression that the entire opposition is extreme, making tribalism seem rational.

A savvy political strategy involves forcing opponents to publicly address the most extreme statements from their ideological allies. This creates an impossible purity test. No answer is good enough for the fringe, and any attempt to placate them alienates the mainstream, effectively creating a schism that benefits the opposing party.

When a political movement is out of power, it's easy to unify against a common opponent. Once they gain power and become the establishment, internal disagreements surface, leading to factions and infighting as they debate the group's future direction.

In the aftermath of political violence, the targeted group often mirrors the very dehumanizing tactics they condemn. While correctly identifying an attacker's ideology, they risk escalating the conflict by applying labels like 'evil' to the entire opposing side, thus perpetuating the cycle of radicalization that fuels violence.

In times of extreme polarization, the political middle is not a safe haven but a kill zone. Moderates are targeted by both sides because they have no tribe to defend them. The escalating cost of neutrality forces everyone to pick a side, eliminating compromise and accelerating conflict.

Focusing on which political side is "crazier" misses the point. The fundamental danger is the psychological process of tribalism itself. It simplifies complex issues into "us vs. them," impairs rational thought, and inevitably leads to extremism on all sides.

A radical policy proposal, like seizing university endowments for reparations, can be a strategic move to create internal conflict within a political coalition by forcing two key demographics (e.g., progressive students and African Americans) into a zero-sum conflict over resources and status.