Civilisation Degenerates to Tribalism

Western Civilisation Degenerates To Tribalism 1975 - 2026

Western civilisation, particularly in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and much of Western Europe, has shown signs of shifting from a relatively unified, shared cultural framework toward greater fragmentation and tribalism over the past 50 years. In simple terms, tribalism here means people increasingly aligning with smaller, identity-based groups based on race, ethnicity, politics, gender, sexuality, religion, or ideology, rather than seeing themselves primarily as part of a broader national or civilisational community. This leads to "us vs. them" thinking, where loyalty to one's group overrides common ground or compromise.

Compare everyday life in 1976 to 2026. In 1976, Western societies still felt a stronger sense of shared national identity. Television was dominated by a few major networks, so most people watched the same news, sitcoms, and events—like the Montreal Olympics or popular shows such as "All in the Family" or "MAS*H" creating common cultural references. Political debates were heated (Watergate had just unfolded, the Vietnam War ended in 1975), but divisions often ran along class, economic, or traditional left-right lines rather than deeply entrenched identity tribes. Multiculturalism was emerging through immigration, but assimilation was the dominant expectation in many places. Newcomers were encouraged to adopt the host culture's norms. Social cohesion felt stronger in many communities, with higher trust in institutions like government, media, and even neighbors. Economic challenges existed (stagflation, oil crises of 1973 and 1979), but there was optimism from post-WWII prosperity and a belief in progress toward greater equality.

By 2026, the picture looks different. Social media algorithms feed people tailored content, creating echo chambers where entire groups rarely encounter opposing views. News is fragmented across countless platforms, often sensationalized to drive engagement. Identity politics has become central: debates frequently center on race, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, or ideological purity rather than shared policy goals. Trust in institutions has plummeted; many view mainstream media, government, universities, or corporations as biased toward one "tribe" or another. Events like Black Lives Matter protests, #MeToo, debates over transgender rights, or responses to immigration highlight deep divides. Polarization shows in everything from family gatherings turning tense over politics to geographic sorting (people moving to areas matching their views). In many Western nations, people report feeling more divided along cultural or identity lines than at any point in living memory.

Several major events and movements from 1976 onward contributed to this shift:

• Economic changes and inequality — The 1970s oil shocks and stagflation ended the long postwar boom. From the 1980s onward, globalization, deindustrialization, and neoliberal policies (under leaders like Reagan and Thatcher) created winners (tech hubs, cities) and losers (rust belts, rural areas). Rising inequality bred resentment, fueling populism and identity-based grievances on both left and right.
• The rise of identity politics — Building on 1960s civil rights and feminist movements, the late 1970s saw groups like the Combahee River Collective coin "identity politics" to highlight overlapping oppressions (race, gender, class). By the 1980s–1990s, multiculturalism policies in countries like Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe emphasized recognizing and celebrating group differences over assimilation. While this promoted inclusion, critics argue it sometimes encouraged seeing society as competing victim/oppressor groups rather than a unified whole.
• Cultural and intellectual shifts — Postmodernism and relativism gained ground in academia from the 1980s, questioning universal truths and grand narratives (like national progress or Enlightenment values). This contributed to viewing truth as subjective and tied to identity, making compromise harder.
• Media and technology revolution — Cable news in the 1980s–1990s (CNN, Fox News) segmented audiences. The internet (1990s) and social media (2000s–2010s: Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok) exploded this; algorithms prioritize outrage and confirmation bias, turning disagreements into tribal warfare.
• Key polarizing events — The end of the Cold War (1989–1991) removed a unifying external threat. Then came 9/11 (2001) and wars in Iraq/Afghanistan, which divided opinions sharply. The 2008 financial crisis deepened distrust of elites. The 2010s brought Brexit (2016), Trump's election (2016), COVID-19 responses (2020–2022), and cultural flashpoints like statue removals or gender debates, each reinforcing tribal loyalties.
• Immigration and demographic changes — Large-scale migration since the 1990s transformed Western societies into more diverse places. While diversity brings strengths, rapid change without strong integration efforts has sometimes led to parallel communities and backlash, intensifying identity-based divisions.

This isn't a total collapse. Western societies still function with rule of law, elections, and economic ties but the trend toward tribalism weakens the shared civic glue that once helped resolve differences peacefully. In 1976, people might disagree politically but still feel part of the same national story. In 2026, many feel loyalty first to their ideological or identity tribe, viewing the "other side" as enemies rather than fellow citizens. Reversing this requires rebuilding trust, shared experiences, and a sense of common purpose beyond group identities.