Tribalism

Tribalism refers to a social phenomenon in which individuals align strongly with a defined group, typically a tribe, clan, ethnicity, religion, or nationality, and organize social life around that affiliation. It can influence identity, loyalty, and collective action, and may shape attitudes toward members of other groups as well as within-group norms.

In scholarly debates, three broad explanations are often discussed. Primordialism treats group attachments as ancient and essential, shaping enduring loyalties. Instrumentalism emphasizes the strategic use of group identity by leaders to mobilize support or control resources. Constructivism argues that identities are constructed through social processes and political contexts, capable of changing over time.

Tribalism can manifest in diverse settings. In traditional societies, it governs kinship networks, customary law, and resource sharing. In contemporary politics, it can underpin partisan loyalty, ethnonationalist movements, or regional factionalism. In everyday life, it appears in sports rivalries, corporate team cultures, and online communities.

The consequences of tribalism range from cohesion and mutual aid to exclusion, discrimination, and violence. Policy approaches to managing tribalism emphasize inclusive institutions, equal rights, and intergroup dialogue, as well as decentralization and power-sharing arrangements that reduce perceived zero-sum conflicts.