The Problem: Endless Political Squabbling
We believe liberals and conservatives in the United States - and around the world - are ultimately good people, even if their differences are magnified these days. However, we think THE WAY we typically have political conversations is unhelpful.
Political squabbling is often the result of two parties having different values or priorities and not because one party is inherently naive, radical, value-less, or subhuman. For example, liberals often prioritize fairness and equality while conservatives often prioritize hard work and a take-care-of-your-own philosophy. These values frame their often very different perspectives, but they are not inherently incompatible.
Wouldn't it be better if we had a conversation about these values instead of attacking one another?
Political squabbling is often the result of two parties having different values or priorities and not because one party is inherently naive, radical, value-less, or subhuman. For example, liberals often prioritize fairness and equality while conservatives often prioritize hard work and a take-care-of-your-own philosophy. These values frame their often very different perspectives, but they are not inherently incompatible.
Wouldn't it be better if we had a conversation about these values instead of attacking one another?
The Solution: Reframing as Values
So how do we have those conversations?
Ask "why." Rather than defending your point, try to understand the real root of their opinion. Ask what value underpins their perspective. Talk about what value underpins yours. Try to avoid conversations where facts are merely thrown at one another. If you're not an expert on the subject, don't try to play one! Instead, talk about each other's values and how that shapes your view. You might find common ground or understanding.
Meanwhile, we at Sage will try to inject the conversation with a little political philosophy!
These ideas are not about right or wrong. They are about our views of human nature and how we should organize themselves. What values we each prioritize. What methods we prefer for implementing change. So, let's re-frame the discussion. Let's see each other as human again.
Ask "why." Rather than defending your point, try to understand the real root of their opinion. Ask what value underpins their perspective. Talk about what value underpins yours. Try to avoid conversations where facts are merely thrown at one another. If you're not an expert on the subject, don't try to play one! Instead, talk about each other's values and how that shapes your view. You might find common ground or understanding.
Meanwhile, we at Sage will try to inject the conversation with a little political philosophy!
- John Stuart Mill believed that government existed only to prevent harm. Do you agree?
- John Locke believed ownership was derived from your labor. That idea has lots of implications! Do you agree?
- Thomas Hobbes thought a strong central leader was needed to stem the chaos. Do you agree?
- In much of the eastern world, folks are against airing their (or their government's) dirty laundry in public, yet in many western states, folks believe the media should air all the dirty laundry! What do you think?
These ideas are not about right or wrong. They are about our views of human nature and how we should organize themselves. What values we each prioritize. What methods we prefer for implementing change. So, let's re-frame the discussion. Let's see each other as human again.
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Note the TED Talk on "moral reframing." Although Robb is framing this discussion as persuasion, we think a simple re-framing can also lead to understanding... even if you don't change each other's minds!
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Our Role: Better Informing Experts & Citizens
The Sage Institute seeks to give the citizen tools to clarify his/her values-based thinking while giving experts the tools to inform without bias or opinion. Indeed, citizens and experts have different roles to play. Citizens should not be expected to be experts on every policy topic, and experts should not be driven by their opinions. The citizen's job is to give a values direction. The expert's job is to inform. We'll try to support both.
Eventually, we'll have a blog poking and prodding on these issues... but, for now, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
