Just before the presidential election NPR’s This American Life had an episode titled “Red State Blue State” that talked about the well-known divide of right versus left in American politics. It told stories of close friends and family members who don’t speak to each other anymore because of politics, then discussed a new book titled You’re Not as Crazy as I Thought (But You’re Still Wrong) by Jacob Hess (who is Mormon and conservative) and Phil Neisser (who is not religious and liberal). Hess and Neisser believe that civilized, useful political dialogue is possible if the two parties stop trying to change each other and start listening. I said something similar here recently.
So I wonder, are the contentious conversations I sometimes experience and that Hess and Neisser have written a book about the norm? Or are they less common than they seem? Please take our poll and let us know how you experience political conversations.
In the comments, please tell us what has worked for you to make your political discussions amicable.
