The End of Solidarity

It’s almost over. Just a few hours to go. The incessant TV ads, the debates, the text messaging from the candidates. Yes, it’s almost over. Just a few hours left.

Before this thing ends, we ought to talk about some things. Like, how did we get to a point where the country is literally divided into two teams. And, what should we do if our team loses?

First, we got here intentionally. We made a conscious decision. A decision to abandon some of the cultural cornerstones that have provided a foundation for humanity.

We abandoned solid beliefs, unity, and community in favor of lives devoid of meaning. However, as the saying goes, nature abhors a vacuum. We still desire to fill that void and believe in something bigger than ourselves to give our lives the meaning we now lack.

Sadly, this internal vacuum is now filled with unworthy placeholders. We exchanged faith in a higher power for faith in a much lower power. Yes, politics has become our new national religion.

See, politics today has adopted many characteristics of religion: a core set of beliefs, common practices, a moral code, and a community of like-minded people sharing a common doctrine.

Like most religions, there is a beatific vision of the future—a future free from inequity, inequality, and, most importantly, evil. A future free of the “surly bonds of earth.” A future of redemption.

Compared to the world’s major religions, joining a political movement usually involves far less commitment or action. It’s one of the laziest of life’s commitments. Why? Because it requires no real effort, conviction, or sacrifice.

Social media becomes a platform for collective pearl-clutching as total strangers hurl pithy insults at each other like a room full of fourth graders jacked up on fruit punch and cake.

Meanwhile, half way around the world the Israelis and Palestinians are hurling deadly rockets at each other largely over religion. See the difference?

As James Davison Hunter points out in his new book Democracy and Solidarity, without faith in some guiding truth, we are quick to lean into mutual hostility where both sides proclaim their grievances. 

One side promises vengeance and the other promises reckoning. But each side fears the same thing: unchecked executive authority. That’s why each side proclaims itself as the savior of democracy—but is that really a new proclamation?

Fears that one person could wield too much power were central to the formation of the United States. Even before the Constitution was ratified, Anti-Federalists strongly opposed an unchecked executive branch of government. Many were fearful of creating the very thing that we’d fought to overthrow.

Wait a minute, if both sides oppose excessive executive power, aren’t they kinda fighting for the same thing? Yes. It’s a great example of the horseshoe theory.

See, the far left and the far right are actually a lot closer to each other than the political center. More often than not, these strange bedfellows are fighting for the exact same thing. But, many have become so infatuated with their new found faith that they fail to notice.

This infatuation signals a crisis of core values and solid human connection. Why? Because politics is a bloodsport, not a religion. It’s, theoretically at least, a biblical battle of good versus evil. You know, David versus Goliath-The Sequel.

If you see the world through this kind of lens, then it’s easy to believe the world is a very scary place full of some very bad people. It’s also easy to believe that you are truly in an epic battle of good versus evil. 

Regardless of who wins, there will be 75 million people feeling angry or depressed or filled with uncontrollable rage cause their team didn’t win. It’s beyond anger, though. As we say down south it’s “good, ole fashioned hate”

There are lots of reasons why this religious conversion has happened. Many have retreated into their smartphones, often preferring virtual communities to real ones. Those communities usually become political echo chambers, grooming each other for the battle ahead. Perhaps the most compelling reason is that we are lonely and only getting lonelier.

A recent study suggests that 1 in 8 people (12.6%) feel lonely either “always” or “usually.”  In the young adult (18-29) population, that number nearly reaches 25%. And 40% of people report feeling lonely at least sometimes.

It’s no wonder that we are the loneliest country on earth. When you believe that half the country is scary or evil, it becomes safer to stay home and socialize within your hyperpolarized, virtual community.

Not surprisingly, a recent study found that 2 in 10 Americans favor a national divorce. They suggest that we split the country and argue about the national parks like a couple divides up the Tupperware collection in a nasty divorce. It’s that bad.

For us to come together, we must have a binding agent. Prior generations relied on patriotism, family, faith, community, etc., but those cultural cornerstones no longer serve as that bonding agent across generations. Only 38% of people think Patriotism is “very important” today.

Social media may be a community of sorts, but it too often serves as the virtual town square for complete knuckleheads who prey on the insecurities of others. However, if you truly believe that half the country is evil, then these conversations make total sense to you.

The simple truth is that conspiracy theories are very easy to start and spread. When you are inherently insecure, a conspiracy theory that aligns with your worldview actually gives you hope. As David Brooks recently suggested, “Conspiracy theories make people feel wise, safe, and respected. They serve as a balm for soothing the wounds many are feeling.”

Many years from now when you are taking your final breaths on Earth, you won’t be thinking about which political candidates won which elections. You’ll be surrounded by friends and family. I wrote about that here. You’ll be feeling gratitude for everything in your life. You won’t be thinking about who won the Presidential election of 2024.

The founders envisioned a perfect society, a shining city on a hill. But, the founders also knew that we needed a moral foundation. 

They knew that left to our own devices, we might not build a society morally fit for inhabitation. They knew that a society bereft of a moral foundation would lead to the death of American solidarity. Wouldn’t you know it—that’s exactly where we are.

This is a touchy subject. Am I wrong? Did I miss something important? Is there something else you think I should’ve mentioned? I’d like to hear from you as long as you want to have a constructive conversation.

Please click the button below to start a conversation with me. I read and respond to ALL constructive comments. 

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