How to Get Along in
an Election Year?
The problem
Of course, we can get along, otherwise we wouldn’t survive. But how?
Three pillars of social cohesion:
But we can’t all get along all the time. There are times when a society breaks down (see Political Dynamics and the Future of Democracy).
Can this election year be one of those trying times?
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The problem
The logic of peace:
The logic of war:
J. A. Goldstone, P. Turchin. Welcome To The ‘Turbulent Twenties’ (2020)
“Our model shows there is plenty of dangerous tinder piled up, and any spark could generate an inferno.”
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Peace
War
Violence
Aggression
Victory over an aggressor
Reconciliation
The problem
The critical question: How can we prevent a civil war?
Lessons from aviation: How can we prevent collisions between aircraft?
The answer: Separation Assurance
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Flirting with the logic of war
Progressive left: Critical Race Theory (CRT):
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Flirting with the logic of war
Conservative backlash: Make America Great Again (MAGA):
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Flirting with the logic of war
Progressive backlash: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):
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Flirting with the logic of war
Conservative backlash on steroids: Trump 2.0
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What can we do
Even if both sides don’t want a civil war - can it become a self-fulfilling prophecy?
“Civil War” movie reactions: “Can that really happen in America?”
Understandably, people are concerned about how bad things might get. But we can think about worst-case scenarios without speaking as if those scenarios are certain or likely. We can discuss our concerns while seeing the downsides to being overly pessimistic and highly certain.
A 2020 paper on polarization put it this way: “On one hand, polarization may be on a self-reinforcing upward trajectory… on the other hand it may have recently reached the apex of its pendulum swing.”
We all play a role in building a less toxic and more stable America. We can demand less contemptuous and polarizing behaviors from leaders, activists, and people in the media.
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What can we do
Build a broad coalition for peace and democracy (as in Progressive Era):
No matter where we are politically:
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What can we do
It’s time to talk about politics. But how?
You can win (almost) any argument by discussion with love (Socratic dialogue):
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What can we do
Restore communication and trust (Braver Angels, Crossing Party Lines, Living Room Conversations, Institute for Multipartisan Education, and more).
And yes, it can work:
Make voting easy and cheating hard
Pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian, against Hamas, and against the war
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What can we do
Develop common political agenda (Developmental Politics, Agenda Setters by Downsize DC, FixUS Solutions Landscape, CommonSense American, Forward Party).
Support efforts to implement this agenda (Unite America, Democracy Found, RepresentUs, FairVote, Forward California)
Focus on most impactful reforms (see K.M.Gehl, M.E.Porter. The Politics Industry)
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What can we do
Find and vote for pragmatic common ground candidates.
And yes, we have them (see Problem Solvers Caucus in US Congress, Forward Party - endorsed candidates, Common Ground Scorecard in CA):
As the mayor of a city of one million residents, I routinely reached out to people who disagreed with me to find common ground.
Has worked across the aisle to deliver on legislation to invest in science and technology, create millions of good paying tech jobs and revitalize American manufacturing and production.
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What can we do
More ideas from discussion:
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What can we do
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What can we do
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