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All Politics is Tribal

Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Chris Bowers kicked off an interesting conversation by arguing that all politics is, in a sense, identity politics. His latest piece of evidence is the degree to which religious affiliation tracks with political loyalties at the geographic level. Digby asserts that the South has a unique sub-national identity, while the rest of the country is essentially defined by its opposition to that identity. Kevin Drum chimes in, arguing that "activists in both parties often define themselves more by opposition to the other than by support for a positive program of change." His emphasis is on cultural politics. And finally Jedmunds at Pandagon argues that liberals really do have a positive policy agenda that transcends mere tribal loyalties.

I think that we should focus on the main point that Bowers was making - namely that (nearly) all politics is based on identity. E.E. Schattscheider defined politics as "the mobilization of bias." The liberal agenda may be led by middle-class issue-oriented types, but we have relied on ethnic, gender, and class identities at the ballot box. Without the support of gays, feminists, blacks, latinos, and labor unions we'd scarcely be a major party. Each of those groups aligns with liberalism because liberal policies champion their group. Conservatives do the same thing - they're just more ruthless and self-conscious about it. Their coalition trades on the support of white nationalists (particularly in the South) and conservative Christians in order to win support for their pro-corporate agenda. If only those helped by big business voted for Republicans, they'd be even more marginal than a liberals-only party.

Politics is based on issues - but these issues must tap into the core emotional loyalties of various segments in society. The regrettable truth is that these loyalties are most easily tapped into by exploiting their hate and fear. Conservatives are comfortable with this "quick and easy path" and consequently have had more political success in recent years.

I think that a better form of politics is possible, a politics based on appeals to higher interests and the common good. John Kennedy and Mario Cuomo were good at enunciating it, but of contemporary politicians only Barack Obama and John Edwards seem to have the knack. Political rhetoric of this sort begins with basic loyalties, and then seeks to transform them by encouraging us to universalize and transcend them: the interest of the workers, or women, or minorities is the interest of all Americans.

So I'd amend my earlier statement by saying that while all politics is tribal, it doesn't have to be.
Posted by Arbitrista @ 8:06 AM
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