Our societies are increasingly polarized
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We are divided about what problems exist, who is responsible and how to tackle them
Our ability to function within a pluralistic, interdependent system is being eroded
Our capacity to make collective decisions (consult, build consensus, compromise)
Our capacity to solve complex problems
(speak, listen, agree on facts)
Our capacity for empathy, compassion,
curiosity, growth and love
These human capacities are all diminished when we are divided
We experience stress in our in families, friendships & communities
We are incapable of solving any problem
when we are divided
Apparent progress is partial, short-lived and fuels opposition and resentment
As in nature, division in human society
leads to decomposition and death
No human system has survived extreme polarization (Apartheid, Nazism)
But there is hope
Societies don’t become polarized overnight,
group identities harden slowly
Human beings are wired for love, as long as there is contact between groups there is a chance to reverse polarization
This is especially true of connectors, those willing and curious to socialize across groups
Connectors exist in every system, yet they may not realize how important they are
In a polarized state, they tend to be chastised for fraternizing with the enemy
But if empowered they can help bring us
back from the brink
These are the unifiers we seek.
Are you one of them?
Why Polarization
Polarization isn't just about politics. Culture, health, faith and an alarming growing list of issues are too divisive to discuss. For open and diverse societies to thrive we have a critical responsibility to build our collective capacity for dialogue across ideology.
What is Polarization
Polarization happens when ideas are pushed to the extreme and middle ground disappears. Us vs. them ideologies split us into in-groups and out-groups that attribute bad ideas to bad people. The loudest voices prevail over kindness and reason, and it's dangerous.
"We define polarization as the moment we break off human relationships because of extreme differences in our ideas."
Who can fix polarization
Polarization is often framed as something too big to fix, something created by politicians over which we have little control. We reject that idea. Separation, alienation and division start with each of us and so does love, respect and the capacity to change.
Polarization Examples
Abortion
Borders
Climate
Equal pay
Education
Guns
Health
LGBTQ
Monuments
Police
Poverty
Race
Reparations
Taxes
Vaccination
Voting
Bibliography
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