Saturday's Core Brief: The Structure of American Division

What Makes Empires Fall?

This week, we examined four cultural patterns that shape American politics: how people define identity (individual vs. collective), how they view change (conservative vs. progressive), where they place loyalty (in-group vs. universal principles), and how they define success (achievement vs. quality of life).

These are four expressions of the same underlying split.

Here’s how it all comes together:

Republicans tend to see people as independent individuals responsible for themselves. They believe society should preserve traditions and institutions that have proven their value over time. They prioritize loyalty to their own communities, whether that’s family, police, military, or nation. And they define success through competitive achievement and material reward.

Democrats tend to see people as interconnected members of groups responsible for each other. They believe society must continuously reform to address injustice, to stay competitive, and to adapt to a continuously changing world. They prioritize universal principles that apply equally to everyone, regardless of group membership. They define success through quality of life, relationships, and collective well-being.