While people form strong ideological tribes online, these virtual communities offer no protection from physical threats. During societal instability, geography becomes paramount, as people self-select into physically safe locations, reinforcing regional divides.
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Political violence and extreme polarization are symptoms of deeper economic anxieties. When people feel economically insecure, they retreat into tribal identities and become susceptible to narratives of anger, which can escalate into violence.
The loss of unifying religious morality created an initial societal void. Social media then amplified this by exposing people to a tsunami of viewpoints, resulting in an 'infinite fracturing of frame of reference' and the creation of countless micro-tribes that erode social cohesion.
The rise of populism is better understood as a resurgence of humanity's innate "groupish" and tribal instincts. This regression is amplified by a modern cocktail of social media, rapid migration, and weakening political institutions, making it a deeper cultural and psychological phenomenon than just an economic one.
Humans have a "God-shaped hole"—a fundamental need for shared values and community, historically filled by religion. As formal religion wanes, the internet facilitates the creation of new tribes. These online groups provide belonging but are often pathological and based on grievance.
The root cause of many social conflicts is not just ideology but deep-seated economic anxiety. When people struggle to pay bills, that stress turns into anger, which is easily manipulated into tribalism and fighting over a perceived "shrinking pie."
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.
The root of rising civil unrest and anti-immigrant sentiment is often economic insecurity, not just a clash of cultures. People convert financial anxiety into anger, which is then easily directed at visible, culturally different groups, creating flashpoints that can escalate into violence.
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.
Data analysis across health, wealth, safety, and longevity reveals that regions prioritizing communal well-being consistently achieve better outcomes than those prioritizing radical individual liberty, challenging a core American political narrative.
A modern American civil war would not resemble the North-South geographic split. Instead, it manifests as ideologically aligned states (e.g., 'blue states' or 'red states') encouraging local resistance against a federal government controlled by the opposing party. The battle lines are political, not physical.
