DECONSTRUCTING BUCKEYE NATION

AN EXAMINATION THROUGH THE TRIBAL LENS

BY GABRIEL ABELLA

Theory of individual and group (i.e. tribal) behavior in narrative form.

BUCKEYE NATION

23 ATTRIBUTES OF A STRONG TRIBE:

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 1A STRONG TRIBE MUST HAVE A COMMON ENEMY

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 2A STRONG TRIBE MUST HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED SYMBOLS

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 3A STRONG TRIBE OFFERS A SUPERORDINATE IDENTITY TO ALL SUB-TRIBES

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 4A STRONG TRIBE HAS A CREDIBLE, JUST CAUSE FOR ITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 5A STRONG TRIBE HAS AN ACCEPTED RITE OF PASSAGE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 6A STRONG TRIBE HAS CLEAR EXTERNAL MEASURES OF SUCCESS

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 7A STRONG TRIBE UNDERSTANDS AND PROTECTS ITS SOURCE OF POWER

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 8A STRONG TRIBE KNOWS HOW IT COMPARES TO THE "UNTOUCHABLES"

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 9THE CRITERIA FOR TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP ARE CLEAR AND CREDIBLE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 10TRIBES COMMUNICATE IN A NON-TRADITIONAL, SUBJECTIVE, AND INTUITIVE MANNER

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 11A STRONG TRIBE DEVELOPS ITS OWN UNIQUE LANGUAGE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 12TRIBAL ROLES ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ACCEPTED FUNCTIONAL ROLES

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 13STRONG TRIBES RECORD AND CELEBRATE SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

THAT REINFORCE THEIR IDENTITY AND VALUE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 14A STRONG TRIBE HAS A CLEARLY DEFINED AND WELL -KNOWN JUSTICE MECHANISM

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 15A STRONG TRIBE HAS A CLEARLY DEFINED ICON THAT EMBODIES THE TRIBAL VALUE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 16A STRONG TRIBE HAS A WALLED CITY- -A PLACE OF REFUGE

WHERE THINGS OF VALUE TO THE TRIBE ARE KEPT

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 17A STRONG TRIBE POSSESSES OBJECTS OF VALUE THAT EMBODY THE TRIBE'S VALUE

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 18A STRONG TRIBE HAS A REVERED FIGUREHEAD

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 19A STRONG TRIBE CELEBRATES AND CARES FOR THE SKILLS, TOOLS,

AND IMPLEMENTS REQUIRED FOR ITS PROSPERITY

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 20A STRONG TRIBE EXPECTS UNQUESTIONING LOYALTY

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 21A STRONG TRIBE HAS CLEARLY DEFINED ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES,

VALUES, AUTHORITY, POWER STRUCTURE, AND CHAIN OF COMMAND

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 22A STRONG TRIBE HAS A LEADER DEDICATED TO THE TRIBE'S SUCCESS

TRIBAL ATTRIBUTE 23STRONG LEADERS HAVE CAPABLE MENTORS WHOSE

PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMITS EXCEED THEIR OWN

23 ATTRIBUTES OF A STRONG TRIBETRIBAL ATTRIBUTES

1. A strong tribe must have a common enemy.

2. A strong tribe has clearly defined symbols.

3. A strong tribe offers a superordinate identity to all sub-tribes.

4. A strong tribe has a credible, just cause for its continued existence.

5. A strong tribe has an accepted rite of passage.

6. A strong tribe has clear external measures of success.

7. A strong tribe understands and protects its source of power.

8. A strong tribe knows how it compares to the "untouchables."

9. The criteria for tribal membership are clear and credible.

10. Tribes communicate in a non-traditional, subjective, and intuitive manner.

11. A strong tribe develops its own unique language.

12. Tribal roles are fundamentally different from accepted functional roles.

13. Strong tribes record and celebrate significant events that reinforce their identity and value.

14. A strong tribe has a clearly defined and well-known justice mechanism.

15. A strong tribe has a clearly defined icon that embodies the tribal value.

16. A strong tribe has a walled city--a place of refuge where things of value to the tribe are kept.

17. A strong tribe possesses objects of value that embody the tribe's value.

18. A strong tribe has a revered figurehead.

19. A strong tribe celebrates and cares for the skills, tools, and implements required for its prosperity.

20. A strong tribe expects unquestioning loyalty.

21. A strong tribe has clearly defined roles, responsibilities, values, authority, power structure, and chain of command.

22. A strong tribe has a leader dedicated to the tribe's success.

23. Strong leaders have capable mentors whose psychological limits exceed their own.

HOW STRONG IS YOUR TRIBE?