And the answer couldn't be based on the amount of effort it takes, since in the small town scenario you're doing the effortful nice behavior 95% of the time.
I'm not getting into a discussion about tribalism in general right now. You made a strong claim that goes well beyond what I normally think of as tribalism. Do you have a scrap of evidence or research for that claim?
* people are nice when they still behave in the old, tribal way.
* the tribal way is always going to be creating individuals who are racist and conformant/conservative.
* not behaving the tribal way means going outside the conformist mold, which means you take risks and eventually learn by experience that taking more risks come with consequences. You become less trustful of everyone, while almost paradoxically proclaiming yourself to be more open.
This fits observation. If you believe it's wrong, you must demonstrate why with supporting evidence without contradicting the evidence I've used, obviously.