Depolarizing Within
If you want to fix something around you, start with yourself. In looking at the hyper-partisan political environment of today, this statement may seem simple and quite naive. Yet in many ways, the message is profound.
The National Conflict Resolution Center is committed to find ways for people to find common ground solutions. During the chaotic election year of 2024, Ashley Virtue of the National Conflict Resolution Center reported that’s she traveled to almost half the U.S. states, talking about our polarized society and strategies to work together on issues. She visited so-called red states, blue states and purple states. The common theme she heard repeatedly was, “I’m so sick of the divisiveness in our country.” It’s no wonder why Merriam Webster identified “polarization” as the word of the year for 2024!
Clearly, people are experiencing the downsides of hyper-partisanship and the growing mistrust in institutions and in fellow citizens. Each year, Freedom House conducts a world-wide analysis on political rights and civil liberties. A decade ago, the United States received a score of 94 out of 100 in Freedom in the World, which put it in the company of other established democracies, such as France and Germany. Today, while those former peers remain at 90 or above, the United States has fallen to a score of 83, leaving it in a cohort with newer democracies like Romania, Croatia, and Panama. Given the global influence of the United States, this drop could have a uniquely damaging effect on democracy in the rest of the world. The Freedom House data also exposes damaging concerns within our nation. It adds weight to the findings of Ashley Virtue, that many citizens simply feel overwhelmed by the divisiveness in our country.
Despite the concerns, there is evidence that the efforts of individuals can make a vital difference. Jordon B. Peterson, a renowned psychologist and author, emphasizes that individual, local efforts at improvement can add up in profound ways. Furthermore, he cautions, “You want to be very careful about doing large-scale experimentation with large-scale systems because the probability that in a large-scale social system, the result you get is likely negligible...potentially something that (even) works at counter-purposes to your original intent." Peterson adds: “You (should) try not to step outside the boundaries of your competence, and you (should) start small. You (should) start with the things that you actually could adjust, that you actually do understand, that you actually could fix.”
Another information source is Braver Angels. As a nonprofit/nonpartisan organization, they have a solid track record in bringing people together, notably people with strong liberal and conservative views. As they state on their website, Braver Angels is the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement committed to bridging the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. They have served nearly 60,000 people in their 8 years of existence,
Braver Angels offers a variety of services. One of their key activities is the Depolarizing Within workshop. In this workshop, they encourage participants to challenge their stereotypes...one way we oversimplify and dismiss members of groups we are not a part of. Participants are encouraged to embrace our complexity. The views of people are simply not black or white.
Braver Angels has a format for helping people with the depolarizing process. They encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones and seek media sources that present different political views. They encourage people to respect our differing life experiences. And they remind us that people are not positions, nor are their policies necessarily indicative of their values. If there are inconsistencies between values and behaviors, the difference can come from blind spots, competing values or differing environments.
A good place to start is in reviewing the way we communicate to others. Braver Angels urges people to avoid generalizations and language that categorizes people. Terms such as "racist" or "socialist" can shut down conversation. In areas where disagreements occur, we should focus on policies and not question the motivations of others. Finally, they remind us to be willing to find fault on our own side as well.
The depolarizing within strategies can lead to a better political understanding among Americans. But it can also help to mend damaged friendships and family relationships. The process of bringing a divided America together starts at the personal and local level. As Jordan B. Peterson states, individual, local efforts at improvement can add up in profound ways.
Lee Rasch
