Tribalism? Nationalism? Exceptionalism? Choose one or any combination of the three.
Individuals often desire to feel unique, believing their decisions and situations are one-of-a-kind. The concept of "independence" within nations, cultures, and identities fuels these separatist ideals. While society encourages us to "celebrate diversity," the reality is that diversity can create division. We can recognize and respect differences, but truly celebrating them requires individuals to invest energy into endorsing ideas or values that they might not care for or even oppose.
In general, groups tend to struggle to coexist with other groups that are significantly different from them. While individuals may find common ground, the same cannot be said for groups. The overarching tribal identity often takes precedence.
It is inherent to human nature that we are social beings with tribal instincts. What may be effective for a relatively small community often fails to resonate with larger populations, even when we manage to come together against a shared danger. Yet, we frequently find ourselves divided by what we interpret as a threat.
Take a look at who will be occupying the Oval Office later this month as a prime illustration of that.
In Italy, there exists a long-standing tribal tradition that encourages independence, rooted in a history where they once held global dominance. Similarly, England finds itself grappling with its identity in a world that has moved beyond empires. The United States, for its part, has a persistent belief in its own exceptionalism—an idea many consider unwarranted, yet it seems to matter only to Americans. As nations prioritize the preservation of their unique identities and pride, often steeped in tribalism, it's no surprise that the European Space Agency (ESA) is facing challenges, with too many differing visions complicating the collaborative effort.
This isn't primarily a financial issue (at least not at this point). The concept of tribal thinking provides a clear explanation. If it were purely about money, they would be opting for SpaceX and cutting costs significantly. While there are indeed legitimate concerns regarding national security, the reality is that when everyone is chasing the same goal simultaneously, nobody truly achieves it, and the opportunity is often lost after considerable frustration, effort, and resources have been invested.
