How partisan tribalism is killing democracy | Brian Klaas | TEDxThessaloniki

Political extremism is tearing our societies apart and that's literally putting democracy at risk. In this enlightening talk Brian Klaas, an expert in democracy and authoritarianism, describes how human beings are not "naturally democratic" but "naturally tribal" animals. Democracy needs to be built and nurtured. But today our world is falling backwards towards tribalism. Klaas explains how and why this is happening and tells us how we can reverse the trend.
Dr. Brian Klaas has received his DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford and is now a Fellow in Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics. He is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, American politics, US foreign policy, political violence, and elections and he has extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Brian Klaas has advised governments, US political campaigns, NATO, the European Union and international NGOs. He is an opinion columnist at The Washington Post and his writing has recently been featured in many other major publications. He is also a regular commentator on a wide array of international media outlets. Dr.Klaas is the author of “The Despot’s Apprentice: Donald Trump’s Attack on Democracy”; “The Despot’s Accomplice: How the West is Aiding & Abetting the Decline of Democracy,” and the soon to be published “How to Rig an Election” co-authored with Professor Nic Cheeseman). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

"We're going to try harder" is not going to work against the tribal instinct. We need to show people how democracy is in their self-interest and survival. For now, "owning the opposition" is equated with "winning" and "survival" and this is a fallacy.

[@t.diddle7998]

I agree that tribalism is an inherent part of the totality of human history, but I also believe that other, more mild, aspects of human nature exist: aspects like kindness, forgiveness, and acceptance. I don't buy that human history points inexorably toward tribalism (as defined by humans raiding and stealing from one another). I choose to think that human history is filled with ennumerable stories that say ALL kinds of things about us. As humans, it is our travail to decide which of those stories we choose to listen to.

[@JohnDoe-jf5mi]

Look up Brian Klaas' twitter, then tell me this isn't possibly the worst host for a talk on how partisan tribalism is a bad thing. Honestly.

[@LRkun]

He called it 3 years ago. I believe making people aware is just the first step. Action must be taken

[@radar0412]

People are aware. And they've come to the conclusion that its the other Party's fault.

[@mayurkhabrai7892]

​@@radar0412The guy is literally practicing tribalism while criticizing it throughout the talk.

[@chuck_in_socal]

He's fanning the flames.

[@aidenwalsh4320]

I would like to see this done again now, with a more critical eye

[@a-n-d-r-e-a-s]

Nothing is 100% right and nothing is absolutely true. There is always room for error. There is also no best option and certainly not for everyone. We all have different backgrounds and circumstances and therefore different views and opinions.

[@chancesud]

When he said, “I’m from the state of Minnesota” I started laughing

[@everburningblue]

Take the deal. You don't want to go to jail any longer than you have to. Compromise.

[@tomover9905]

How about plutocracy as the main threat to democracy?

[@williamvan7364]

Why is this information peppered with political bias? it's so sad to speak against division and promptly vilify half the country... this is the problem, people will talk about open mindedness so long as that means agreeing with them.

[@michaelkappa8081]

I really didn't like how he didn't try for a bigger picture look at American tribalism and only focused on one group (Right wing) (Neo-Nazis) yes that's not good but our government isn't at risk of Neo Nazis, no Arian Brotherhood is running for office, it's Communist right now. And we need to talk about that.

[@ghostxfactory17]

@@michaelkappa8081 America is not going to become a communist country. There are no pro-communists in political power in America and no one seriously running on that ideology. It'll never happen. The fact that you believe that communism is a legitimate problem here shows that the fear-mongering has worked on you.

[@tesla3695]

he is a phony

[@alexurbanchek7679]

Where did you get political bias from? best,

[@tesla3695]

This video would have been much better if he had acknowledged that extremism exists on both the left and right.

[@samlair3342]

I like to think that someday fundamentalists will recognize the scientific relationship between the greenhouse effect and global warming and that secularists will appreciate the spiritual reasons for not using abortion as birth control. Thus, the effects of reducing carbon emissions and of increasing contraceptive practices would enhance the quality of life on Earth and help ensure our survival as a species.

[@OBRfarm]

Ferjani is once again arrested ☹️

[@blanknblank1]

I thought this video was going to be good where it explains how partisanship is killing democracy, I quickly realized the speaker is a partisan person and this speech was not bipartisan. No wonder it has so little views.

[@hauntedlolita666]

I'm non partisan. I don't care about Democrats or Republicans. I just want to seize the means of production with deadly force. This is a non-partisan issue.

[@TurtleWatching]

He is preaching against what he is doing :/

[@ricardodsavant2965]

Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

[@francismausley7239]

Can't be partisan... Joined God's Party... "Love and unity are the needs of the body politic today. Without these there can be no progress or prosperity attained." "Science cannot cure the illness of the body politic. Science cannot create amity and fellowship in human hearts." ~ Abdul-Baha, Baha'i Faith

[@svettypoo]

The lack of self awareness of this video is incredible.

[@Fluxty]

I'm a zug baby let's embrace the tribalism!

[@horseshoed5221]

Seem to explain the problems well but solutions fall short. Call out the real problem here! The political parties! Parties are private businesses, we need a public service, nonpartisan and local. Where every idea can be judged, pledge votes to build momentum for candidates. Look on Facebook Georgetown County Public Primary

[@varanbby3738]

twitter@varanbby this is important

[@aublak7492]

Democracy sux lol

[@thanatweezer]

Watch this along with Jordan Peterson videos, you'll learn and understand more about identity politics, Tribalism and how those can lead to Chaos

[@ajarofmayonnaise3250]

No

[@ShampootheSpider2019]

We shouldn’t be against Tribalism because it’s the wrong thing to do because it’s wrong to steal their land

[@walther9161]

I find it interesting that he’s doing but spots on tv making accusations without ANY background proof for the viewer. If this bozo has proof then follow up the accusations with your proof.

[@sirmister9099]

the guy is an actual tribal political extremist, fully blinded by his own biases. NPC bot