1st Edition
Political Tribalism How it Hijacks Our Minds and Diminishes Our Humanity
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Zombies Are Real And Some Of Them Are Us
2. How Ideologies Replace Truth-Seeking Communication with Sorting, Signaling, and Score-Keeping
3. How Ideologies Convince Us That Armaggedon Is Now
4. The Death Of We The People—How Tribalistic Ideologies Destroy National Identity And Undermine Democracy
5. Social Media as a Masked Identity Fashion Show
6. De-Zombification: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Ethically Permissible
Conclusion: Rhinoceroses vs. Humans, Despair vs. Hope
Works Cited
Index
Biography
Allen Buchanan is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona. His recent books include The Heart of Human Rights (2013) and Ideology and Revolution (2025).
“With intellectual precision and autobiographical candor, this book unpacks the causes and consequences of ideological division. Buchanan skillfully weaves together philosophical analysis, empirical evidence, and personal insight to reveal how tribalism erodes our shared humanity and democracy itself. Both compelling and insightful, it is an invaluable resource for anyone committed to safeguarding democracy’s future.”
Michael Hannon, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Nottingham, UK
