Incivility and Political Dysfunction: What Can We Do About It? Center for the Study of Narrative and Conflict Resolution George Mason University March 5, 2018 Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer Executive Director
Democracy is a conversation. The quality of that conversation matters.
Weber Shandwick Poll Released January 23, 2017 Poll finds Americans are united in seeing an uncivil nation but divided about the cause https://t.co/UQ0n24FjXF • 79% of Americans believe the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election was uncivil • 69% believe the U.S. has a major civility problem • 75% of us now believe that incivility in America is a crisis
How We Got Here: • Money in Politics • Gerrymandering • Election Rules • 24/7 News Cycle • Social Media
People are Social Beings… They respond to: • Context • Structure • Signals
Richmond, VA
Charlottesville, VA
The National Institute for Civil Discourse brings people together for civil conversations to find common ground on divisive issues.
Three Target Groups RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
Signs of Hope: Elected Officials
Signs of Hope: Elected Officials 46 Bipartisan Freshman Members of Congress Pledge to Civility, January 2017
Signs of Hope: Public 2017 Revive Civility Initiative • Deep dive in 4 states: ME, OH, IA, AZ • National state & local partners:
Working with Citizens Initiative to Revive Civility
Unlikely Friendships https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dMMCVfKP9s
Text, Talk, Revive Civility
Step One: • Set up the conditions for people to listen for understanding • What in this person’s life experience has led them to this choice or this belief
Core to Being Able to Do this Work: • We have a fundamental obligation to see our common humanity across our differences.
Core to Being Able to Do this Work: • We need to trust those on the other side as fellow travelers rather than as enemies. • We have to enter the conversation as a two-way street: my mind could be changed as well as yours.
1 Civility Pledge 2 Civility Conversations 3 Mayoral Proclamations 4 Citizen Action www.ReviveCivility.org
Signs of Hope: Media
Signs of Hope: Media
What Can You Do? • Sign the Civility Pledge • Participate in the National Week of Conversation NWOC • Host civility conversations with friends, family and within organizations/clubs • Recruit organizations in your community to get involved • Sign up to be a facilitator of conversations in other communities.
April 20-28, 2018 Americans coming together across different political views, listening to each other, helping bridge divisions.
What can we do to improve the tone of the upcoming 2018 elections? Five key questions • One on One • Small Groups
How do I participate? • Sign up at www.revivecivility.org • Download a sample conversation guide • Invite one person or small group to join you • Meet during NWOC (April 20-28, 2017) • Share your ideas afterwards www.ReviveCivility.org
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
Thank You! Questions? Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer Executive Director National Institute for Civil Discourse www.nicd.arizona.edu Email: cjlukensmeyer@email.arizona.edu Phone: (202) 759-9302
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