Dialogue
Assuming the Worst
It’s easy for any of us to assume that people disagreeing with our own views are influenced by ill-will, dishonesty or callousness. But what if we didn’t?
Public Square Staff
May 29, 2020
It’s easy for any of us to assume that people disagreeing with our own views are influenced by ill-will, dishonesty or callousness. But what if we didn’t?
When we free our beliefs from the constraints and obligations of truth, we lose our greatest defense against toxic polarization.
When strong disagreements take place publicly, it’s no longer surprising when death threats occur – on both sides. Why is that? And what will it take to preserve space for productive disagreement in the days ahead?
Will we continue the patterns of contempt and division in this new America? Or will we reach for something better?
Despite the appearance of a sharp competition between coherent ideologies, could it be that America is divided by group loyalties and resentments more than anything else?
The anger of Bernie Sanders has often been discussed as a political liability. Could it actually be the very reason he’s doing so well?
Endless sales, politicking, and bickering have convinced many to see persuasion as a bad thing (“as long as you don’t try and persuade me”). We’re going to try and persuade you otherwise.
Divergent emotions evoked by Senator Romney’s impeachment vote reveal something more important than just partisan passions.
In discussing civic engagement and political participation, it’s often taken for granted that Americans have a basic knowledge of what’s going on. Do they?
