Animosity across political and social groups — where people disrespect or even hate those who believe differently than them — is one of the most pressing problems of our time. The acrimony between political groups makes it challenging for people and the government that serves them to solve societal problems. These divisions also cause people to become skeptical of each other, paving the way for misinformation to spread and take hold.
In this project, the Center for Media Engagement examined best practices for talking across political differences, based on interviews with 56 Americans who live in communities with a mix of political viewpoints. This research is part of our connective democracy initiative , funded by the John S. Knight Foundation. Connective democracy seeks to find practical solutions to the problem of divisiveness. We also examined if people whose own beliefs are less polarized used a different approach when talking to those they disagree with than people with more divided opinions.
We found:. Our participants offered five main strategies for talking across political differences, as described below.
All participants are identified using their chosen pseudonym. This approach involves seeing the humanity in people you disagree with. Focusing on the person includes building a relationship before talking about politics. Another aspect of this strategy, according to our interviews, is not taking comments personally and not defining people based only on their political beliefs. By separating people from their political views, our participants reported they could see past differences and focus on shared humanity.
Participants also sought to elicit empathy for their beliefs from those who disagreed with them by sharing stories of their own experiences.
Explaining a hypothetical situation can sometimes help people see a viewpoint they would not normally embrace, our participants said. Nancy, 42, of Iowa, recalled using a hypothetical situation to explain her support of government social services.
One, it gives you purpose in life. It gives you drive. It, it rewards you as a person. But you have worked. Should you not be taken care of by your community in that situation? Multiple people we interviewed found that it was easier to talk about divisive topics if they first bonded with people over less polarized issues. Minor problem.
Not a problem. People saying things that are very offensive to others. Which comes closer to your view of candidates for political office, even if neither is exactly right?
I usually feel like…. There is at least one candidate who shares most of my views. None of the candidates represent my views well. In general, how much do White people benefit from advantages in society that Black people do not have? A great deal. A fair amount. Not too much. Do you think greater social acceptance of people who are transgender people who identify as a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth is….
Very good for society. Somewhat good for society. Neither good nor bad for society. Somewhat bad for society. Very bad for society. Overall, would you say people who are convicted of crimes in this country serve…. Too much time in prison. Too little time in prison. About the right amount of time in prison. Religion should be kept separate from government policies.
Government policies should support religious values and beliefs. Find out more about your human rights under the Charter and what to do if you think they have been breached. If you think you have been discriminated against, sexually harassed, victimised or vilified in Victoria, we can help.
Home Political belief or activity In Australia, everyone has the right to vote for and support what they believe in. What is political belief or activity discrimination? Political belief and activity means when someone: does, or does not, have a lawful political belief is, or is not, a member of a political party takes part in, or refuses to take part in, political action.
A landlord evicting a tenant because they placed a placard for a political party in their front yard during an election campaign. How does the law protect me? Discrimination is against the law if it happens in an area of public life such as: work school, TAFE or university a club or sporting organisation shops and restaurants aged care , hotels or rental properties. You can make a complaint to us if you think you have experienced: discrimination sexual harassment victimisation racial and religious vilification.
If you wish, someone else can make a complaint for you. We can also give you information about your rights. Political belief or activity discrimination at work.
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