As we begin this week of the transition of
political power, our country has never been so divided. And while I’m not happy about the outcome of
the November election, my biggest concern is not how the country will fare under
a Trump presidency. My biggest concern
is whether our democratic political system is sustainable in today’s America.
As many have pointed out, the divide, distrust
and downright hatred between our two major political parties is more extreme
than anything we have previously witnessed in U.S. history. Based on recent studies by respected
academics, members of opposing political parties are having less and less to do
with each other, believe the other party is ruining the country, oppose any
idea (no matter how rational) that is associated with the other party and
earnestly believe politicians from the other party, and those who support them,
are evil. Apparently this new political
distrust is stronger even than racial or ethnic bias.
There are a number of reasons that explain this deep distrust. People are increasingly living in communities
with similar political and moral values, in part through choice and in part
because of educational and socio-economic barriers. The 24-hour news cycle, driven by profit
motive to cater to sensationalism and often to a particular base, has been
outdone by the Internet, where unfiltered opinion is disguised as information,
sometimes intentionally false and easily spread through social media. And Congress has set a poor example for the
rest of us, as our elected representatives deem it a badge of honor to demean
the opposition, refuse to compromise and cater to a gerrymandered base.
Presidents are going to come and go, but the
disintegrating tribe that we call America holds the future for our children and
grandchildren. I think our most
important political mission in the years ahead is to try to rebuild trust and
to improve communication between the two ends of the political spectrum.
Stopping political hatred does not mean
ambivalence or withdrawal from political commitment. There are many causes which claim to uphold
the country’s deepest values, giving all our citizens the best shot at leading
the best lives possible. And it is part
of our civic responsibility to discern, to the best of our ability, what those
causes are and to work towards the common good.
In the meantime, can you take a few personal
steps to help mend the political divide?
This is generally easier to do if your party is in power. But it’s perhaps more meaningful when the
opposition is in power. At a minimum, a
“loyal opposition” that is respectful, even when actively pursuing its own
priorities, will be more likely to bring moderates to its side in the next election.
·
Do
not accuse a person or a political party of evil intent. You can’t get
inside another person’s heart. Try to
limit your criticism to the idea and its impact.
·
Find
a way to dialog with someone from another political perspective, at least
occasionally. Find
at least one point on which you can agree that the other party has raised a
legitimate concern. Learn to be a better
listener.
·
Reject
news coverage that encourages conflict or is excessively biased, either way. If your television news features a
broadcaster or guest pundit who is hostile or excessively biased (even if there
is a headshot of another pundit equally biased on the other side), turn off the
television. And better yet, send a note
to the producer as to why you turned them off.
·
Pay
more attention to the contrarians. When an elected Republican agrees with some
specific Democratic proposal, or when a Democrat votes against the party line
on one proposal, send them a note of appreciation for willingness to cross the
aisle.
·
Encourage
our schools to teach civics. Support school efforts to teach critical
thinking, discernment of accuracy over the Internet and the importance of civic
involvement.
·
Reward
news commentators and politicians who admit that certain problems are hard,
without easy answers, and that it’s not all that clear whether we should pursue
one path or another.
When you run across any politician or pundit who will admit to shades of
gray, reward him or her with a letter of support.
·
Accept
the fact that there are legitimate theories of improving our society from both
political parties. After
all, the persistent problems that plague us have not been changed much by
changes in controlling political parties.
Everyone would agree, for example, that poverty is undesirable,
particularly of course from the perspective of those living in it but also in
terms of the well-being of society as a whole.
If there were an easy answer to this, someone would have already found
it.
·
Support
organizations that work around the country towards more balanced political
discussion. Explore
whether there is some equivalent of the foreign policy discussions, “Great
Decisions,” pertaining to politics.
Support political forums that are non-political, such as the League of
Women Voters, and grapple with how to become a better democracy.
Hard arguments in support of your view of the
world turn out to be very ineffective in changing someone else’s mind. Respect, openness to alternative points of
view and courtesy are more effective political tools than argument. Let’s start with the assumption that most
Americans have good intentions and want to do what’s right to create a better
world for their children and grandchildren.
If we can agree to that much, we have a chance to do a better job in
running our democracy.
