Beyond Polarization: Finding a Way Forward

Episode 136

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Beyond Polarization: Finding a Way Forward
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Stat: 57%: The percentage of Americans who believe that partisan conflicts receive too much attention these days.

Story: A majority of Americans say partisan fighting gets too much attention while important issues facing the country get too little. In the final episode of our season on polarization, Utah Governor Spencer Cox says elected officials can do better at bridging our political divides. He is chair of the National Governors Association and leads an initiative called Disagree Better* that is aimed not at ending disagreements, but in improving dialogue, building understanding, and respectfully listening to others. We also hear from Columbia University’s Peter T. Coleman about how we arrived at this level of polarization.

*The Pew Charitable Trusts is a funder of the Disagree Better initiative.

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Podcast
Topics: Arts & Culture
Experts: Spencer Cox & Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D.
Places: United States

After the Fact

Related Experts
Spencer Cox Governor of Utah
Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology and Education
Columbia University

Beyond Polarization in American Politics

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In this season of “After the Fact,” we speak with researchers and bridge builders from across the political spectrum to learn how they’re facilitating civil dialogue and bridging divides. Pew Research Center reports that 65% of Americans say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics because of the country’s deep partisan divisions. As polarization increases and trust in democratic institutions declines, how can we move forward and maintain a functioning democracy?

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