Evolution Explains Why Politics Is So Tribal

[MindMover]

Which of these two narratives most closely matches your political perspective?

Once upon a time people lived in societies that were unequal and oppressive, where the rich got richer and the poor got exploited. Chattel slavery, child labor, economic inequality, racism, sexism and discriminations of all types abounded until the liberal tradition of fairness, justice, care and equality brought about a free and fair society. And now conservatives want to turn back the clock in the name of greed and God.

Once upon a time people lived in societies that embraced values and tradition, where people took personal responsibility, worked hard, enjoyed the fruits of their labor and through charity helped those in need. Marriage, family, faith, honor, loyalty, sanctity, and respect for authority and the rule of law brought about a free and fair society. But then liberals came along and destroyed everything in the name of “progress” and utopian social engineering.

Although we may quibble over the details, political science research shows that the great majority of people fall on a left-right spectrum with these two grand narratives as bookends. And the story we tell about ourselves reflects the ancient tradition of “once upon a time things were bad, and now they’re good thanks to our party” or “once upon a time things were good, but now they’re bad thanks to the other party.” So consistent are we in our beliefs that if you hew to the first narrative, I predict you read the New York Times, listen to progressive talk radio, watch CNN, are pro-choice and anti-gun, adhere to separation of church and state, are in favor of universal health care, and vote for measures to redistribute wealth and tax the rich. If you lean toward the second narrative, I predict you read the Wall Street Journal, listen to conservative talk radio, watch Fox News, are pro-life and anti–gun control, believe America is a Christian nation that should not ban religious expressions in the public sphere, are against universal health care, and vote against measures to redistribute wealth and tax the rich.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=evolution-explains-why-politics-tribal&WT.mc_id=SA_CAT_MB_20120613

[DirkGently]

1. A decent conceptualization. Dovetails with some of the other science

we've seen reported lately. Like the one about conservative-minded people being biologically less trusting of strangers / outsiders. "Once upon a time" we probably needed Unga Bungas standing at the gates with clubs, casting a hairy eyeball on anyone who seemed "different."

But I can't help thinking one approach is inherently more limiting than the other. When tradition becomes the entire reasoning for something, we've given up reason altogether. Like the anti - gay marriage guy on Cenk recently who kept saying "We *believe* marriage is defined as ..." Pressed for a basis of that belief, he wouldn't provide one. Cenk was trying to get him to admit that it was "religion," but even that isn't really the point. One could just as easily (or more easily) justify tolerance with the Bible.

The real divide is an approach to civilization that seeks the common good, whatever that may require, and a tribalistic "get off my lawn" approach governed by fear, superstition, greed, and unfounded bias. One large, inclusive tribe, or a billion tiny islands of self-interest.