There’s more common ground in political disagreement than you think

In a recent experiment, participants consistently underestimated how positive these exchanges would be, especially when talking to someone with opposing views, writes Clay Routledge.that thinking about politics makes them feel angry and exhausted, and that too much attention is given to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats, a Pew Research Center study shows. When asked to describe the state of politics in the U.S. today in one word, the most common response is “divisive.

The results were striking. Participants consistently underestimated how positive these exchanges would be, especially when talking to someone with opposing views. Not surprisingly, they expected conversations with those who disagreed with them to be significantly more negative than talks with like-minded individuals. However, their assumptions were wrong: The actual experiences were similarly positive regardless of agreement or disagreement.

By avoiding discussions about contentious topics, we miss opportunities to refine our expectations and overlook the shared ground we might have with ideological opponents. Indeed, otherinvolving cross-party political conversations finds that, when Republicans and Democrats have real in-person conversations, they are able to find common ground and their hostility toward those with opposing politics decreases.

Moreover, we frequently undervalue the intrinsic benefits of face-to-face conversation as a collaborative activity. These exchanges can create social connections through mutual engagement, sharing personal experiences, and demonstrating understanding — regardless of initial agreements or disagreements. Consistent with this idea, Wald and her colleagues found that the format of interaction matters.

As we move toward November, we should challenge ourselves to break free from the narrative of irreparable division. By seizing this chance to engage in meaningful dialogue across ideological lines, we can not only find some common ground but also correct our misperceptions about each other.miserable or despise our fellow citizens. This will help us work toward a more united and resilient America, regardless of the 2024 election’s outcome.

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