The Retribalization of Identity: Belonging in a Fractured World

“I belong here... I don’t belong there.”

These are not just words of self-definition... they are ancient instincts. From the earliest days of human civilization, we have found safety, meaning, and identity within tribes. They offered protection from enemies, a shared belief system, and a clear sense of "us" versus "them".

But as societies evolved, cities grew, borders expanded, and systems of governance replaced campfires, we moved toward broader identities: citizen, professional, global neighbor. The tribe, one might think, was left behind.

Yet in today’s digital, divided world, we’re seeing a profound return to tribal thinking, what has been referred to as a "retribalization of identity", and it's shaping everything from politics to personal relationships to the very fabric of democracy!

The Return of the Tribe

The term “retribalization” was popularized by Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan, who foresaw that electronic communication would create a “global village.” But instead of unity, he warned, the collapse of geographic and temporal barriers might revive emotional, tribal affiliations that bypass critical thought. McLuhan may have been decades early, but he wasn’t wrong. Today, we see it in:

• Hyper-partisan politics: Red vs. Blue. Left vs. Right. Dialogue replaced by allegiance.

• Culture wars: Every choice—books we read, brands we buy, pronouns we use—can signal tribal affiliation.

• Media consumption: Algorithms feed us what we agree with. We become less informed, more affirmed.

• Moral certainty: “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.” Tribalism rejects nuance for clarity.

This is identity not as self-discovery, but as group declaration.

A Global Phenomenon

Retribalization is not confined to any one country or political side. Across the world;

• In the U.S., political identity increasingly dictates friendships, family ties, and trust in institutions.

• In Europe, far-right nationalism rises amid fears of cultural dilution and economic insecurity.

• In Canada, even our famed politeness is fraying as identity politics, economic anxiety, and online misinformation sow division.

• In the Global South¹, we see the rise of ethno-nationalist movements and the reclamation of indigenous identities—some constructive, some exclusionary.

The Double-Edged Sword

It’s important to acknowledge that "tribes" are not inherently bad. Reclaiming cultural heritage, language, and traditions is empowering, especially for communities that were colonized or silenced. Identity can be a source of healing, pride, and justice. But the danger arises when;

• Identity becomes inflexible.

• Belonging becomes conditional.

• Outsiders are treated with hostility, not curiosity.

This is how tribalism becomes tribalism-as-weapon. So, what may lay ahead? If we continue down this path unchecked, we risk:

• Democratic erosion, as loyalty to tribe overrides loyalty to truth.

• Social atomization, as shared spaces give way to echo chambers.

• Polarization fatigue, where people disengage entirely out of exhaustion.

But there’s also an opportunity—if we learn to hold two identities at once:

• To cherish our roots and reach for common ground.

• To belong to a tribe, without becoming trapped by it.

So, What Do We Do?

Choose curiosity over certainty: When we encounter different views, ask questions before forming judgments.

Consume consciously: Diversify your media diet. Challenge your assumptions.

Reclaim the public square: Not just physically, but digitally—spaces where people with differing beliefs can still talk.

Model bridge-building: In our words, in our posts, in our daily lives. Not everyone will follow—but some will.

Final Reflection

In a world that feels increasingly fractured, the retrenchment into tribe feels… safe. But true safety, real strength, comes not from building walls around our identities—but from building bridges across them. The future doesn't belong to those who shout the loudest, but to those who listen the deepest.

Perhaps the most radical identity we can adopt in these times is the identity of a peacemaker.🕊️✌️

1. The term “Global South” refers broadly to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania that have historically experienced colonialism, underdevelopment, or marginalization in global systems of power. It is not a strictly geographic term—rather, it highlights economic and political disparities between the world's wealthier nations (often called the "Global North") and those still navigating structural challenges. While imperfect, “Global South” is commonly used in policy and academic circles as a more respectful and nuanced alternative to outdated terms like “Third World”.