Positively Generative!
April 26, 2024
Embrace the Chaos: Navigating Political Complexity
August 30, 2024
Facing the 800-pound Gorilla in the Room
Generative Communication Can Help You Navigate Political Conversations
It has been a busy summer so far! In recent weeks, I’ve been fortunate to attend four social gatherings spanning the Midwest with extended family and good friends. We renewed relationships in celebration with stimulating conversations about all kinds of interesting and timely topics.
Notably, one tacitly avoided topic was the “800-pound gorilla” in the room: POLITICS. Yet here we are in a U.S. national election year, inundated with political news, stories and opinions everywhere we turn—on broadcast, print, online and social media platforms.
The Essence of Politics in 2024
The term “politics” (derived from Ancient Greek politiká, “affairs of the cities”) is a neutral concept described as the set of activities associated with making decisions in groups or other power relations, such as the distribution of resources or status.
Politics in American government today encompass competing interests among a wide array of individuals and groups in our diverse society. People are tuned in to specific issues such as racial equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights, abortion, systemic poverty, immigration, education, crime, worker’s rights, widening economic disparities, climate crises, and myriad other issues that directly impact their lives.
The current divisiveness among our citizens and their elected officials impedes the functional effectiveness of government action in response to these critical issues. Policy decisions and distribution of resources at all levels of government often languish in locked disagreement.
Never in my lifetime have we experienced such intense political polarization.
While the U.S. has experienced periods of political conflict throughout history, the current level of polarization is unprecedented, according to Statista. Our deeply entrenched ideological differences contribute to the growing chasm between our two major political parties.
We witness both overt and cleverly disguised deceit and political maneuvering in Congress, state and often local governments aimed at partisan wins, with little interest in finding a compromise for solutions to critical issues. The quest for power and dominance seems to erode the democratic principles on which our country’s independence was declared on July 4, 1776, represented in a document that begins with a well-known statement of intent:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — Preamble, Declaration of Independence.
Many in my generation of Americans grew up taking for granted the ideas of freedom, democracy, and the right to participate in our representative government. We recognized that voting is a critical form of participation, but unless our parents or acquaintances were political activists, we didn’t think much about engaging in other ways. I notice many people interpret the right to a “secret ballot” (adopted state by state in the late 19th century to reduce rampant bribery and intimidation in the voting process at the time), to mean their political views should remain private.
It’s Time to Participate in Politics!
Regardless of where you fall within the political spectrum, our varied lifeviews and our willingness to participate are foundational for a functional American government.
Generative Communication (GC) allows for innumerable ways to participate in conscious and productive political interactions within ourselves and with others in our communities without imposing on another’s beliefs and right to privacy.
The five portals into a GC mindset serve as a backdrop for Generative Political Communication. and can facilitate more productive and respectful political dialogues in the following ways:
Embrace Complexity
- Take a step back and see yourself as one individual in a complex web of interdependent, interrelated life that continually changes in response to our interactions.
- Understand that we have little control over another’s thinking and actions and that there is rarely a black-or-white “right” answer in any complex set of circumstances.
Stay Awake
- Be aware of the sources of the continuing reinforcement for our own political beliefs, assumptions and related opinions.
- Explore political issues from multiple perspectives with the understanding that authentic engagement requires us to roll up our sleeves and learn about the arguments for and against politically charged topics.
- Look for potential middle ground between extreme views.
Ask Questions
- Start by seeking answers to questions about key political issues:
- What is the history of this issue?
- What are the variables?
- Who is impacted and why?
- What solutions are proposed?
- Are they viable according to bona fide experts?
- Check in with yourself:
- Am I thinking critically?
- Am I looking for verifiable evidence?
- Am I being whisked away by emotional arguments about this issue?
- Ask questions of others that invite explanation and exploration rather than yes/no answers, such as:
- “Can you tell me more about why you feel this way?”
- “What experiences have shaped your view on this issue?”
Welcome the Struggle
- Understand that honest, intentional discussions about contentious issues expand your awareness and understanding of an issue.
- Prompt conversations with yourself by reading the views of diverse political pundits who clearly don’t agree.
- Seek news outlets that claim objective reporting and delve into all sides of contentious issues.
- Consciously balance your reading/watching of news sources that overtly express political leanings.
- Recognize that although challenging, it is essential to consciously hold our views open long enough to digest the validity of alternative viewpoints.
Take Responsibility
- Examine, understand and own your views.
- Resist blindly following the loudest political opinions feeding the polarized views that are gripping our nation. In the end, participating in the politics of democratic governing is everyone’s responsibility.
Healthy Political Conversations
When we adopt a Generative Communication mindset, we are better equipped to engage constructively with others about the political dilemmas of our times.
If our external communication is grounded in our internal conversation, the possibilities for generative political participation through our interactions with others begin to open up!
Here are some practical steps you can take to foster Generative Political Communication:
- Be an informed voter: Study candidates’ positions and ballot measures before voting.
- Engage: Call or write letters to your elected representatives to share your position on issues that are important to you. Submit informative editorials that express your view with well-documented evidence. Attend town hall meetings and other public forums. Post a yard sign or wear political buttons to communicate a message. Demonstrate your views by gathering with others in respectful protest.
- Support voter advocacy: Volunteer or support organizations that encourage others to register to vote, or nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations like the League of Women Voters or Ballotpedia that provide information on candidates, elected officials, public policy and political issues.
- Consider the circumstances: Refrain from initiating political conversations in inappropriate settings. Birthday cakes and graduation tributes don’t mix well with political debates! Walk away from interactive exchanges in which the other person becomes hostile or rude. Respect people’s wishes not to discuss politics.
- Seek understanding: Avoid putting people on the spot or in a defensive position, which does not foster productive conversation.
- Respond factually: Be prepared to respond to questionable claims calmly with factual information.
- Facilitate discussions: Gather with people with diverse viewpoints to explore contentious issues. Develop shared ground rules for respectful discussions.
Organizations and education initiatives that can help you foster Generative Political Communication include: 
- Braver Angels: Aims to bridge the partisan divide by facilitating respectful conversations between people with opposing political views.
- Living Room Conversations: Brings together people with different views to have structured, respectful conversations on various political and social issues.
- Bridge the Divide: Organizes dialogues and events aimed at fostering understanding and cooperation across political lines.
- The Right Question Institute: Strengthens people’s ability to ask questions and participate in decisions that affect them, aiming to build a more just and equitable democracy.
- Deliberative Polling: Engages a representative sample of citizens in in-depth discussions about policy issues for more informed public opinions; associated with Stanford University.
- The Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR): Brings together randomly selected citizens to deliberate on ballot measures, providing voters with clear, balanced information.
- Everyday Democracy: Works with communities to strengthen democracy by making authentic engagement and public deliberation a permanent part of the way we work.
May we celebrate the upcoming 4th of July holiday with the intention of engaging in generative political conversations to preserve our shared freedoms in celebration of our independence.
8 Comments
You appear to have spent a lot of time and thought on this missive but the problem is, there are no two sides to the most current problems we are having. There is only one RIGHT side and that side is the preservation of our system of government over those who would subvert it if given the power and what they perceive as a mandate to do it. The rules and normal processes of spirited discussion resulting in compromise and comity are out the window. One side or another will be doing the choosing when this all shakes out and whichever side triumphs will determine whether our democracy prevails or we descend into an autocracy. There is no in-between. No compromise. I hope I’m wrong but, even though I don’t have a PhD in history-only a B.A.-l can see what’s coming. History is repeating because people still haven’t learned from it ????????
Thank you for your comment! I agree with you that we are facing an unprecedented challenge to the democratic system of government as we know it, in the US and globally. One doesn’t need a PhD or BA in History–or any advanced education–to see this frightening trend! With our polarized view points, we tend to see the challenge as an EITHER “one RIGHT side” (the on we agree with) OR “the OTHER RIGHT side” (the one we don’t agree with, that others think is right) proposition. Because each of us perceives our own view with the passion of deeply held beliefs, it appears, indeed, there is no hope for generative conversation and compromise. But is this really the case (even though political candidates reinforce this dichotomy with their rhetoric that often misrepresents truth)?? Are there not enough common-sense, thoughtful, regular citizens (who are NOT “elitists”) that CARE about preserving democracy in the way our Constitution outlines? People that can find common ground? People that are willing to LEARN from history and avoid repeating mistakes? I remain hopeful that “we the people” will come to our senses and learn to communicate generatively to find the seemingly illusive “mutually acceptable” solutions!
Thanks! I did find your email & blog started reading them & am still re-reading it. Your proposal to all of us citizens is just what I want, too. And many others probably. I search for U.S. people & many in the world who are doing this, as well.
Are you thinking of holding meet ups for this purpose?
If there were someone where I live here in Austin TX doing a GC political meetup, I’d build up my bravery & go.
I’m heartened that you’re looking for people who engage in GENERATIVE political conversations, and are thinking of participating yourself! I do not plan to convene a meetup per se, however, I could likely be available online or in person to participate in a generative conversation gathering initiated by others. I may be available to coach or even collaborate with a would-be convener. Surely there are people or organizations in Austin who are interested in generative political conversations at this time. Best wishes finding what works for you to engage with others and their diverse points of view!
Enjoyed reading your views on Generative Communication. Our paths crossed several years ago through AAUW in Nebraska. I’m now in Ohio.
Thanks for your comment. I’m a strident supporter of AAUW (American Association of University Women for those unfamiliar with the term). Generative Communication has particular relevance for women in science. All the best in Ohio!
Hi Mary,
Enjoyed your article. Very interesting and so true. Just a note to say I attended a panel discussion between David Axelrod and Karl Rove a couple of weeks ago. They are just as confused as the rest of us. Neither one was bragging up their party’s candidate and neither one would make a prediction concerning the upcoming election. It was very interesting .
Tom! Thanks for your comment and for sharing your recent experience witnessing a discussion between key figures representing very different political perspectives and party candidates for President. Would you say you observed any interactions between the two that suggested a Generative Communication mindset? The plot has surely thickened following last week’s debate. Indeed, interesting and highly complex.