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This is going to be an online meetup using Zoom. If you've never used Zoom before, don't worry — it's easy to use and free to join.

Click on the Zoom link below at the scheduled date/time to log in...

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CAN WE DEPOLARIZE OUR SOCIETY & OUR LIVES?

INTRODUCTION:

I often see articles right before the holidays suggesting tactics for navigating potentially heated political discussions with the extended family & in-laws around the dinner table. I figured this would be a good time to discuss political polarization, what causes it, and some possible ways to de-polarize American politics - both on the societal level & the personal level. In the final section, we'll consider some advice on how to maintain civility if & when you end up in a conversation about politics with someone you disagree with.

Before we start, we need to define political polarization. Wikipedia has a pretty decent entry which defines polarization as "divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes" and which distinguishes between 4 types of polarization:
(1) "Elite Polarization", or polarization among politicians;
(2) "Mass Polarization", or polarization among voters;
(3) "Pernicious Polarization", which can mean extreme ideological polarization that prevents compromise but can also indicate high "affective polarization" - i.e. distrust & hatred of the other party;
(4) "Beneficial Polarization", which tends to mean moderate ideological polarization that enables voters to know what policies each party supports but doesn't entail high levels of mutual distrust or prohibit bipartisan compromises.

As you can see from my outline, I've broken this topic down into 3 sections. In Part 1, we'll discuss the causes of affective mass polarization - i.e. partisan voters hating those on the other side - and its consequences for social relationships like families, friendships, dating, neighbors, etc. In Part 2, we'll discuss some possible long-term solutions to affective polarization on the societal level, as well as whether it even can be solved. In Part 3, we'll discuss some possible short-term solutions to affective polarization on the personal level.

RELEVANT MATERIAL FROM PAST MEETUPS:

In Dec. 2021, we had a meetup entitled "Can We Depolarize Politics?" where we discussed what political science research suggests are the most likely causes of political polarization, as well as some possible policy solutions. We'll review the material on affective polarization in this meetup, but it may be worth looking back at the material on ideological polarization.

Also in Dec. 2021, the Philly Skeptics had a meetup entitled "Persuasion for Skeptics & Atheists" which covered the basics of what psychology can tell us about how to persuade people to adopt more rational views on topics related to science & religion, or at least decrease enmity & build rapport if you can't change their minds.

In Oct. 2023, we had a meetup entitled "(Why) Is Our Civic Virtue Declining?" where discussed the factors behind Americans' declining trust in government & institutions and decline in civic participation, increasing loneliness, as well as the alleged rise in selfishness & immaturity among younger Americans, and how it may all relate to the rise in affective polarization.

Several times, most recently in Jan. 2024, we've had a meetup entitled "Intellectual Virtues for Political Discussions" where we discussed a somewhat idealized set of standards for civil discussions on hot-button political topics. The 3rd & 4th sections covered the importance of fair-mindedness & civility and concepts like the principle of charity, steel-manning, Stoicism's dichotomy of control, and Crocker's rule. These could apply to the 3rd section of today's meetup where we're addressing how to have a depolarizing conversation with someone with different views.

FYI: Braver Angels has hosted many discussions related to this topic:
- John Wood Jr. w/ Alexandra Hudson & Bill Doherty, "Friendship's Meaning In Our Divided, Isolated Times" (Mar. 2021)
- Braver Angels, "Debate: Should We Confront Problematic Family Members?" (Nov. 2022)
- Jonathan Haidt with Mónica Guzmán, "What’s your ‘red line’?" (Nov. 2022)
- Luke Nathan Philips w/ Reena Bernards & James Coan, "Home for the Holidays - Depolarization and Families" (Dec. 2023)
- Bill Doherty, "Managing Emotions and Relationships after the Election" (Dec. 2024)

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR OUR DISCUSSION:

The videos & articles you see linked below are intended to give you a basic overview of some of the major debates over the effects of political polarization & its possible solutions. As usual, I certainly don't expect you to read all the articles prior to attending our discussion. The easiest way to prepare for our discussion is to just watch the numbered videos linked under each section - the videos come to about about 39 minutes total. The articles marked with asterisks are just there to supply additional details. You can browse and look at whichever ones you want, but don't worry - we'll cover the stuff you missed in our discussion.

In terms of the discussion format, my general idea is that we'll address the topics in the order presented here. I've listed some questions under each section to stimulate discussion. We'll do our best to address most of them, as well as whatever other questions our members raise. I figure we'll spend about 40 minutes on each section.

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I. THE CAUSES OF AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION & ITS IMPACTS ON SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS:

  • IS WAGE STAGNATION & INCREASING INCOME INEQUALITY CREATING "ECONOMIC ANXIETY" THAT MAGNIFIES POLARIZATION? OR DOES THE LEFTWARD SHIFT OF ELITES & RIGHTWARD SHIFT OF BLUE COLLAR VOTERS SUGGEST ECONOMICS PLAYS LESS OF A ROLE THAN CULTURAL ISSUES (E.G. IMMIGRATION, TRANS, GUNS, ABORTION, ETC.)?
  • IS THE INCREASE IN LANDSLIDE DISTRICTS SINCE THE 1970s DUE TO WHAT BILL BISHOP CALLS THE "BIG SORT" - I.E. GEOGRAPHIC SELF-SORTING THAT HAS TURNED NEIGHBORHOODS INTO "ECHO CHAMBERS"? OR IS THIS UNLIKELY TO CAUSE IDEOLOGICAL CONFORMITY SINCE A DECLINE IN CIVIC PARTICIPATION MEANS MOST PEOPLE DON'T TALK TO THEIR NEIGHBORS ABOUT POLITICS?
  • HAVE INCREASINGLY PARTISAN NEWS MEDIA & ONLINE "ECHO CHAMBERS" LED TO MORE POLITICAL POLARIZATION BY INSULATING PEOPLE FROM OPPOSING VIEWS? OR HAS SOCIAL MEDIA ALLOWED MORE CONTACT WITH OPPOSING VIEWS, WHICH CAUSES A BACKFIRE EFFECT THAT POLARIZES US MORE? AND DOES "UNFRIENDING" ON SOCIAL MEDIA AMELIORATE AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION OR MAKE IT WORSE?
  • WHY ARE MEN & WOMEN BECOMING MORE POLITICALLY POLARIZED? IS THE DECLINE IN CROSS-PARTY DATING & MARRIAGES A MAJOR FACTOR IN POLITICAL POLARIZATION, SINCE THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE RAISED BY PARENTS WITH SIMILAR VIEWS?
  • WHY DO CONSERVATIVES TEND TO HAVE MORE CROSS-PARTY FRIENDS THAN LIBERALS? IS IT MERELY BECAUSE LIBERALS TEND TO BE MORE EDUCATED & CARE MORE ABOUT POLITICS, WHEREAS MANY CONSERVATIVES ARE WORKING CLASS "BREAD & BUTTER" VOTERS THAT CARE LESS ABOUT MANY SYMBOLIC ISSUES?
  • DOES CROSS-PARTY FRIENDSHIPS & DATING HELP DECREASE AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION? IF SO, IS THERE SOME WAY TO ENCOURAGE THIS, LIKE FUN CROSS-PARTISAN EVENTS (E.G. R.A.F.T. FOR AMERICA)?

1a) Yphtach Lelkes, "Affective Polarization: Understanding Division in American Politics" (vide - 2:51 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGzzs72W1LQ

1b) PBS Newshour w/ Bradford Wilcox, "Political divides cut through marriages and families in the run-up to the 2024 election" (video - 9:56 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOdEmAZ9kDY

II. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION AT THE SOCIETAL LEVEL:

  • IS AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO HIGHER POLITICAL STAKES CREATED BY IDEOLOGICAL POLARIZATION, AS EZRA KLEIN ARGUES? OR CAN/SHOULD WE LEARN TO "LOVE OUR ENEMIES" OR AT LEAST THINK OF OUR POLITICAL OPPONENTS AS THE "LOYAL OPPOSITION", AS CIARAN O'CONNOR & JOHN WOOD JR. ARGUE?
  • CAN BIPARTISAN POLITICAL MEETUPS LIKE THOSE DONE BY "BETTER ANGELS" HELP BREAK DOWN PARTISAN STEREOTYPES & INCREASE CROSS-PARTISAN TRUST? OR IS THEIR RETAIL APPROACH TOO LIMITED BASED ON PARTICIPANT SELF-SELECTION & ITS MODERATING EFFECTS TOO SHORT-LIVED?
  • COULD MORE CROSS-CUTTING POLITICAL NEWS COVERAGE AID IN DEPOLARIZATION PROVIDED IT WAS MODERATE & CIVIL? WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THE STUDY THAT SUGGESTED THIS CAN HELP PREVENT POLARIZATION, BUT CAN'T REVERSE IT?
  • WHAT MIGHT EXPLAIN THE STUDY THAT FOUND THAT INTERVENTIONS WHICH DECREASE AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION DON'T DECREASE SUPPORT FOR UNDEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, PARTISAN VIOLENCE, OR PRIORITIZING PARTISAN ENDS OVER DEMOCRATIC MEANS?
  • WILL SECULARIZATION & RACIAL DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE AUTOMATICALLY DEPOLARIZE AMERICAN POLITICS IN THE COMING DECADE? OR ARE THE PARTIES ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF POLARIZATION ALONG GEOGRAPHIC (URBAN/RURAL) & CLASS LINES, EVEN AMID RACIAL DEPOLARIZATION?
  • WOULD POLICIES THAT INCREASE ECONOMIC GROWTH WHILE DECREASING INCOME INEQUALITY SOLVE POLITICAL POLARIZATION BY MAKING POLITICS APPEAR LESS ZERO-SUM & MORE LIKE "A RISING TIDE [THAT] LIFTS ALL BOATS"? IS THIS WHY POLITICS WAS LESS POLARIZED IN THE "GREAT COMPRESSION" OF THE 1940s-1960s, AS ROBERT PUTNAM CONTENDS - OR WAS IT MORE RELATED TO IDEOLOGICAL CONFORMITY & THE POLITICAL DOMINANCE OF WHITE MEN, AS SOME OF HIS LEFT-WING CRITICS ARGUE?

2a) Ciaran O'Connor w/ Ezra Klein, "Braver Angels Podcast: Is Depolarization Really Possible?" (video - 1:15:17, listen from 49:45 to 60:39)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9hQh8JbHIk&t=49m45s

2b) PBS Newshour w/ Robert Putnam & Shaylyn Romney Garrett, "How U.S. history could provide a path out of polarization" (video - 6:38 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJQ5nb1cw_M

III. PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL:

  • SHOULD WE GO BACK TO THE EARLIER SOCIAL NORM OF AVOIDING POLITICS & RELIGION IN "POLITE CONVERSATION", OR DOES THIS LEAVE PEOPLE WITHOUT TRAINING IN HOW TO HAVE CIVIL DEBATES ABOUT HEATED TOPICS? ARE GET-TOGETHERS WITH FAMILY & CLOSE FRIENDS THE BEST PLACE TO START THIS TRAINING, DUE TO THE PRE-EXISTING BONDS OF AFFECTION?
  • DO POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS OFTEN BECOME HEATED DUE TO THE "FOLK POLITICS" PITFALL - I.E. THE ILLUSION THAT OUR DEBATE WILL DETERMINE POLICY? OR IS IT MORE THAT OUR POLITICS IS DEEPLY TIED TO OUR IDENTITY AND OUR SENSE OF WHO WE CAN & CAN'T TRUST?
  • DOES FOCUSING MORE ON "ARGUING TO LEARN" RATHER THAN "ARGUING TO WIN" HELP TURN THE HEAT DOWN?
  • HOW CAN WE LEARN TO KEEP CALM & AVOID TAKING THE BAIT WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING UNCIVIL OR UNTRUE?
  • WHY DO MANY COUNSELORS SUGGEST USING "I" STATEMENTS TO REDUCE CONFLICT? DOES THIS CREATE PROBLEMS BY SHIFTING THE DEBATE TO A HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE, RELATIVISTIC FRAMEWORK WHERE "WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN TRUTH"?
  • ARE "PERSPECTIVE TAKING" EXERCISES - I.E. ASKING PEOPLE TO IMAGINE THEY'RE IN THE SHOES OF THEIR POLITICAL OPPONENT - EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION?
  • DOES CONFRONTING THE COMPLEXITIES & TRADEOFFS OF POLICY-MAKING HELP DEPOLARIZE VOTERS' VIEWS BY ENCOURAGING INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY? IF SO, HOW CAN WE COAX PEOPLE TO DO THIS?
  • SHOULD WE USE "MORAL REFRAMING" - I.E. FRAMING A POLICY WE PREFER IN TERMS OF THE OTHER PERSON'S VALUES RATHER THAN OUR OWN - OR IS THIS DISHONEST & HINDERS DISCUSSION OF HOW/WHY WE DIFFER IN OUR VALUES?

3a) WGN News w/ Suzanne Deggs-White, "How to keep your cool while discussing politics with friends and family" (video - 3:35 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIV3mu3aAI

3b) David Maxfield & Joseph Grenny, "How to Talk Politics with Friends & Still Have Some Left" (video - 4:29 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNztCfVKBS4

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