Why Do People Divide Themselves into "Us" and "Them"?
One of the most persistent features of human society is the tendency to divide the world into two categories: Us. And them. Cultures do it. Nations do it. Religions do it. Political parties do it. Sports fans do it. Language communities do it. Even families sometimes do it. Why? At first glance, it seems irrational. Human beings share far more similarities than differences. Yet throughout history, people have repeatedly organized themselves into groups and then drawn boundaries around those groups. The answer may lie deep within human nature. Human beings are social creatures. We survived not as isolated individuals but as members of communities. For most of human history, belonging to a group enhanced the chances of survival. The group provided protection, resources, knowledge, and emotional support. The distinction between "us" and "them" therefore served a practical purpose. Who could be trusted? Who would help in times of need? Who shared the same rules and e...