Tribalism (which is the best name to give to all the group manifestations of
the anti-conceptual mentality) is a dominant element in Europe, as a
reciprocally reinforcing cause and result of Europe’s long history of caste
systems, of national and local (provincial) chauvinism, of rule by brute force
and endless, bloody wars. As an example, observe the Balkan nations, which are
perennially bent upon exterminating one another over minuscule differences of
tradition or language. Tribalism had no place in the United States—until
recent decades. It could not take root here, its imported seedlings were
withering away and turning to slag in the melting pot whose fire was fed by two
inexhaustible sources of energy: individual rights and objective law; these two
were the only protection man needed.