Tribalism (Springer International Publishing AG)

Unearthing the most primal motivations behind the fear politics movements sweeping across the USA and Europe, Stevan E. Hobfoll examines how the establishment of the political and cultural "other" or "outsider" engenders an evolutionary "defend and aggress" response. This mentality in turn elicits "tribalism," allowing for the rise of propaganda, extremist politics, and ultimately promoting violence. In this wide-ranging book, which ties together theories in sociology, evolution, biology, linguistics, iconography, rhetoric, and religion, Hobfoll explores the tribalist roots of radical Islam, violence against women, white supremacy, and zones of intense conflict (such as that between Israel and Palestine). Grounded in biological research and in conversation with contemporary academic literature, The Tribal Self and Society not only offers an explanation for society's worst impulses, but also points us towards the best protections against tribalism and other "evolutionary" traps.