Under Construction
At a time when information sources on both the left and the right are dominated by stories that portray the other side as absolutely incorrigible, there are actually a great many successful collaborations that, even though they often "fly under the radar," demonstrate that we actually know a great deal about how to work together despite deep differences. This aspect of the discussion will focus on stories about such efforts and explanations about how they have been able to be successful.
- Kristen Hansen talks about the Civic Health Project's Work on De-polarization in America -- A discussion of ends and means, incentives, interventions, scale, challenges, successes, visions--Kristen's vision is clear and exceptionally wide ranging at the same time. This is a summary of a 75-minute interview. That very much relates to this topic, so it is linked below:
- Conversation with Kristen Hansen, Executive Director of the Civic Health Project -- To really do bridge building work credibly, you can't assume an outcome. You have to move upstream. and you have to be about means and not about ends. You have to trust that the ends will go where the universe wants them to go.
- Lou Kriesberg's Chapter 10 in Fighting Better - "Recovering and Advancing Equality in the Future" -- A review of Louis Kriesberg's seven elements of constructive conflict, as illustrated in the closing chapter of his new book Fighting Better: Constructive Conflicts in America. Jan. 2, 2023
- Ken Cloke: Mediation in a Time of Crisis -- The introduction to Ken Cloke's latest book focused on the many concurrent crises facing the United States and the world. It demonstrates compellingly how our only way out is through collaboration. — Sept. 22, 2022.
- Summary of Lisa Schirch: Transforming the Colour of US Peacebuilding: Types of Dialogue to Protect and Advance Multi-racial Democracy -- A summary of an article focused on how peacebuilding dialogue and the movement for social justice should be complementary, not at odds with each other. — Sept. 22, 2022.
- Jack Williams: Reaching out Within and Beyond the Classroom -- The President of the Institute for Global Negotiation shares his thoughts on how the education system writ large can help entire societies learn and use better conflict resolution techniques. — Sept. 20, 2022
- Greg Bourne: What Do the Times Require? -- We’ve seen up close the results of hate, discord and violence. We must choose the better path – and the first step begins with each of us making that choice. — Sept. 17, 2022.
- Jay Rothman's Quick Answers to Our Questions -- Jay argues that participatory, civic engagement to promote deeper understanding of and commitment to fundamental difference (which he refers to as "agonism") is essential for successful democracy. .-- Aug. 22
- Larry Susskind Explains How To Get Highly Distrustful, even Hateful Parties to Work Together -- Those who want to promote dialogue or peace-making among parties who are “at war” are inviting the wrong people to the wrong kind of event in the wrong way. There are clear alternatives that work, devising seminars being one of them. -- Jul 22
- Larry Susskind in the Negotiation Journal: Initiating Collaboration in the Midst of a Standoff -- Breakthrough Collaboration is different from traditional dispute resolution and dialogue in that it can be initiated on just one side and does not need to bring the parties together. It can create "ripeness" where none exists. -- Jun 29
- Chip Hauss: Beyond Polarization -- We’ll counter toxic polarization if and only if we offer people a better and credible alternative that they can put into practice in the lived experience of their daily lives. -- Jun 28, 2022
- Larry Susskind: Consensus Building in the Age of Trump What was it like in the Age of Trump? -- Listening to or caring about "the other side" has become much less common in "the age of Trump," but that just makes the roles of neutrals all the more important. -- Jun 27
- Solon Simmons: Applying Root Narrative Theory to the Republican Party and American Politics -- Only Republicans can save the party from the abyss they have fallen into; the way out involves changing their dominant root narratives that drive their behavior. -- Jun 26
