@lauren frankly, I think a whole lot of people are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces if they think it would stick it to the folks they regard as the other team.
Whether it's another country that has been mythologized as being "sworn enemies" or a different political party or an individual who has simply been identified as being out of favor, a lot of people are willing to pay a personal price to go at them.
To me it is just part of the dark side of humanity.
A lot of people would be willing to give up agricultural advancements and industrial advancements if it means they can stick it to those baddies, to "them"