The modern voter is less and less guided by rational arguments when making political decisions. The enlightened ideal of a knowledgeable citizen was replaced by an emotional identification with “one’s tribe.” Tribalism – the phenomenon where loyalty to a group becomes more important than facts and common sense – is becoming more visible in politics. The most striking example of this phenomenon is Trumpism, which is based on the emotions of the community, not on logic or factual basis.
We will remind you that tribal thinking (tribalism) has deep historical roots. It has been a key survival mechanism for human communities since prehistoric times. In primitive society, belonging to a tribe meant access to resources, protection from enemies, and a shared belief system that fostered cohesion. Everything is clear with the proto-society, but why are tribalist approaches so relevant today?
Utopia of electoral choice
Voters usually have a limited understanding of politics and political programs. They are well versed in issues that are close and familiar, such as entertainment shows, sports teams or discounts in supermarkets, but politics for them does not relate to everyday reality that deserves attention, constant monitoring and understanding. Voters often use primitive heuristics to evaluate policy proposals. Their approaches contradict the idealized view of civil society, which was formed in the Enlightenment era, when political processes were lively discussed in coffee shops and other crowded places and when the phenomenon of the public sphere was effective.
An ideal, or rather utopian algorithm of electoral choice looks something like this:
- voters gather facts
- draw conclusions based on facts,
- form positions on issues based on conclusions,
- choose a political party that supports these positions.
In fact, the selection process unfolds with precision to the “opposite”.
- Voters choose a tribe or party based on value relationships,
- take positions on issues that support this tribe,
- develop arguments that support these positions,
- choose facts that support these arguments.
Why do we use the term tribe when talking about a political party? Because it best corresponds to the essence of the modern We-community – a formation cemented not by common views, but by a common emotion, which provokes the polarization of society and protects those who are on “our side” from the fence that divides the world into Us/Them. In psychology, this phenomenon is called tribalism – the absolutization of tribal thinking, which ignores common sense and uncritically accepts any false information. Tribalism manifests itself most clearly in the behavior of fans. Fans do anything to promote the message of the uniqueness, invincibility, superiority of their team. In the stadiums, we can often hear that even the football club that lost with a crushing score is the strongest and most powerful.
Tribalism has recently been spreading in politics. Communities emerge, united by common views, namely emotions, which strengthen the group’s identity.
Trumpism as a manifestation of tribalism
Trumpism is a vivid manifestation of tribalism in modern politics. Instead of arguments and rational arguments, its supporters unite around an emotional identity that divides the world into “us” and “them”. This is not a struggle for specific political ideas, but the protection of the “tribe”, which feels threatened by external enemies: the media, elites, foreigners. As in the fanaticism of sports teams, the important thing here is not the victory, but the feeling of belonging to “ones”. And even in the most difficult moments, when reality shows the defeat of the leader, emotional attachment to him becomes more important than facts. Although Trump dealt with the facts during his first term. He has his own – alternative ones, so that journalists, opposition politicians or simply bearers of common sense do not speak there.
What value dominants cement the Trumpist community?
- Nationalism. Trump has actively promoted protectionist policies, such as a trade war with China, imposing tariffs on imports of Chinese goods, which was positioned as protection for the American manufacturer. His decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord was motivated by what he said was a deal that harmed the US economy while benefiting China and India. The slogan “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) has become not just a political message, but an identity marker for its supporters.
- Protection of traditional values. Trump’s endorsement of Supreme Court nominees that helped overturn the precedent Roe v. Wade (the right to abortion), was one of the most striking manifestations of his support for traditional Christian values. He also repeatedly demonstrated closeness to evangelical leaders, such as Franklin Graham or Jerry Folwell, Jr., who perceived him as a defender of Christianity against “liberal threats.”
- Perception of government institutions as neglected. Trump’s claim about the “deep state” (Deep State) was embodied in criticism of the FBI and the Department of Justice, especially after investigations into his ties to Russia. He directly stated that these structures work against him and his constituents, especially when his impeachment was considered in Congress.
- Anti-elitism. Trump has repeatedly called the media “enemies of the people” (fake news media), especially CNN, MSNBC and newspapers like The New York Times. His mockery of political opponents, for example, Joe Biden (“Sleepy Joe”) or Hillary Clinton (“Crooked Hillary”), strengthened the feeling of fighting the political elites.
- Anger and protest. His speeches at MAGA rallies, such as in Michigan or Pennsylvania, were often filled with rhetoric about “traitors” and a “corrupt system.” One of the most revealing moments was a speech in front of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, which was followed by a storming of Congress, fueled by his claims of a “stolen election.”
Heuristics of affect
Many of Trump’s initiatives gained support from his supporters mostly on an emotional level. This approach is well described by the well-known researcher Daniel Kahneman, who calls this phenomenon the affect heuristic. In his opinion, in topics that people cannot always understand rationally, they often answer the wrong questions for themselves.What do I think about it?“, and are guided by a simpler question: “Do I like it?“. Such a substitution of judgments leads to the fact that “the emotional tail wags the rational dog“, according to D. Kahneman.
What are these Trump initiatives?
- Anti-immigration policy. The decision to ban the entry of citizens of several Muslim countries (the so-called “Muslim Ban”), the introduction of a policy of “zero tolerance” towards illegal migrants (which led to the separation of children from their parents at the border) and the construction of a wall on the border with Mexico – all this caused a strong emotional resonance among voters who saw in this a struggle to “save America”.
- Elections of 2020. Trump’s claims of election fraud have prompted his supporters to participate in protests and support legal action against states where he lost. The most striking example is the protests in Washington, which turned into the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. His rhetoric about “betrayal” and “theft” of the elections turned the defeat into a new mobilization myth.
- Cult of personality. At MAGA campaign rallies, people often wore t-shirts with slogans like Trump is my president or even with superhero-style images of Trump. The “Trump as Jesus” meme that has spread among evangelical supporters demonstrates how far his figure has transcended politics and become an object of semi-religious worship.
So, we can say that Trumpism is a manifestation of tribalism. It forms a clearly defined group identity based on shared values, emotions and perception of the outside world as opposed to “own”.
It is obvious that the Trumpist community has all the signs of a “political tribe”: clear internal norms, symbols (maga red caps), rituals (rallies, protests), common enemies (democrats, media, “deep state”). Trump is now not just a leader, but the central figure of a cult that cements the community around him personally, and not only through ideology.
It is also noticeable that tribalism manifests itself in a simplified, binary perception of reality: “us against them.” For Trumpists, “we” are true patriots, bearers of traditional American values, fighters against a corrupt system. “They” are globalists, socialists, bureaucrats, immigrants, fake media. Such a sense of opposition makes the community even more united.
In addition, emotions play an important role. As in classic tribal structures, rational arguments are less important than emotional loyalty. After numerous investigations and accusations, a large part of Trump’s supporters continue to support him, because their loyalty is not based on political decisions, but on a deep identification with him as a symbol of struggle.
Degeneration of the “green wave”
Ken Wilber, in his book “Trump and the Post-Truth Era” (2018), describes the “green wave” as a stage in the development of world culture that began in the 1960s. It was a period when such values as equality, tolerance, pluralism, protection of human rights and nature came to the fore. In a philosophical context, this wave is also called postmodern or the era of relativism, and the psychologist Maslow depicted it in his pyramid of needs as a level of self-realization.
However, in recent decades, according to Wilber, this positive movement has gradually turned into its extreme. At first, the idea of pluralism (many opinions) led to relativism (the belief that all opinions are equal), and then to nihilism, that is, the complete denial of any objective truths.
Wilber says that society first understood: “every truth depends on the context“, but later this conviction grew into an even more radical one: “no objective truth exists at all“. In such a reality, everything is perceived only as a cultural interpretation that is constantly changing. This created the conditions for post-truth – a situation where facts are less important than emotions, beliefs and personal convictions.
