Politicology Is America a Creed or a Tribe?
Dec 26, 2025
Political strategist Mike Madrid delves into the essence of American identity, challenging the notion of ethnicity over ideas. He and Ron Steslow discuss historian Gordon S. Wood's view that the U.S. is founded on a shared creed, not bloodlines. They critique the rise of blood-and-soil nationalism and explore how a multi-ethnic democracy can thrive amidst demographic changes. Madrid emphasizes the need for active engagement in democracy, expressing cautious optimism for a non-white America that can uphold cherished values.
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America As A Creed, Not Ethnicity
- Gordon S. Wood argues the U.S. is a 'creedal' nation built on shared ideas rather than bloodlines.
- That inversion — state before nation — made ideals the binding force instead of ethnicity.
Romanian Immigrants As Full Americans
- Gordon S. Wood recounts meeting Romanian immigrants who became citizens in 1980 and calls them 'as American' as Mayflower descendants.
- The example illustrates creedal inclusion transcending accents and ancestry.
Tribal Roots Versus Political Choice
- Mike Madrid emphasizes tribal instincts and how culture and ethnicity answer existential 'why' questions.
- He argues America's openness is a political choice that clashes with human tribal wiring.