Entrenchment Spiral Game

Sovereign-Games-OG-Image.jpg The Entrenchment Spiral Game is a destructive meta-game in which both sides of a conflict become progressively more radicalized, angry, and certain of their own righteousness, while moving further away from solving the actual problem.

Core Pattern

Two (or more) sides interpret the same situation through their tribal/ideological lens:

• Side A sees the other side as evil or dangerous and uses that to justify stronger measures and moral superiority.
• Side B sees the other side as brainwashed or treacherous and uses that to justify stronger rejection and moral superiority.

Result: Both sides walk away more entrenched, more emotional, and more convinced the other side proves their worldview. The actual underlying issue (e.g. protecting children, seeking justice, etc.) is almost completely abandoned in favor of winning the status/in-group game.

The Different Sides in the Entrenchment Spiral

Not everyone in the spiral is playing the same role. Understanding these different positions helps us apply the Sovereign Games more precisely.

Side A & Side B These are the two main opposing groups. Both become increasingly radicalized, emotionally charged, and certain of their moral superiority. They interpret events through their tribal lens and use the other side’s behavior to justify their own escalation.

Side C – The Righteous but Captured This is the most important group for The Sovereign Games to reach.

Side C is actually correct on the core issue. Their cause has genuine merit, and they are fighting for something real and important. However, they allow themselves to get pulled into the Entrenchment Spiral. In doing so, they adopt the same toxic tactics, emotional reasoning, and status games as their opponents.

As a result, they often:

• Damage their own credibility
• Alienate potential allies
• Weaken their actual arguments
• Turn what could be a winning position into a losing one

The Sovereign Games exists in large part for Side C. It provides the tools to fight for a righteous cause without becoming corrupted by the very dynamics they oppose. The goal is not to make Side C passive — it is to make them more effective by refusing to play the Entrenchment Spiral Game while still advancing their cause.

Side D – The Spectators (Popcorn Watchers) These are the people who sit back and enjoy the show. They may not be deeply invested in either side, but they derive entertainment, status, or dopamine from watching the conflict escalate. They often amplify the spiral through likes, shares, and commentary without taking real responsibility for the outcome.

While less directly harmful than the active players, Side D still contributes to the overall toxicity by rewarding drama over resolution.

This Is a Hybrid Of

• Moloch — Competitive race to prove moral superiority within each tribe
• Foot-Shooting Trap — Both sides actively harm the real goal while believing they are defending it
• Slave Owner Game — Ideology owns the thinking of participants on both sides
• False Dichotomy Trap — Forcing complex reality into two opposing teams

See the Game

You are in an Entrenchment Spiral when:

• The conversation feels like two parallel realities
• Both sides are more focused on proving the other side is bad than solving the actual problem
• Emotional intensity and certainty are rising on both sides
• Nuance and good-faith interpretation disappear

Refuse the Game

• Do not accept the false binary framing
• Refuse to let the other side’s extremism define your position
• Do not reward performative outrage with attention or status
• Stay anchored to the Royal Cubit (reality + long-term consequences)

Build Better

• Insist on consistent standards regardless of tribe
• Focus relentlessly on the actual problem (e.g. “Protect the children and apply equal justice”)
• Model clear See → Refuse → Build behavior in public
• Build parallel institutions and culture that operate outside the spiral

See the Game. Refuse the Game. Build Better.

This game is extremely common in politics, culture, religion, and online discourse. Mastering it is a high-leverage skill for maintaining personal sovereignty in a polarized world.

This game is in Permanent Beta.