In the midst of our nation's relentless political tug-of-war, 'tis the season to unwrap a surprising dose of holiday cheer. Beneath the cacophony of partisan clashes, a flicker of hope is emerging. The happy news comes from The Common Good, a non-partisan group championing for reasoned political dialogue and better governance. Its annual Survey on National Division conducted by Emerson College Polling aims to measure how divided we are, illuminate the causes, and reveal possible cures for our seemingly insurmountable political schisms.
And here's the twist: the results aren't all doom and gloom. In fact, they hand us a silver lining, suggesting that our deep-seated differences might not be as immovable as they appear.
According to The Common Good survey, a whopping 86 percent of respondents believe that those on the other side of the political fence are, at the very least, "good and honest people." And 46 percent actually think this is true "often" or "always." That's right, folks; beneath the surface of our heated debates, there's more goodwill than one would think even toward those with whom we disagree.
But wait, there's more. The survey reveals that a staggering number of folks—almost three-quarters (71 percent) of citizens—prefer compromise to governmental paralysis. Americans are signaling that their elected officials should sit down with the opposition and hash out solutions – even if it means not getting everything they want. It's truly a breath of fresh air in a room polluted by the smoke and smog of unyielding partisanship.
But that's not what we're getting from our elected officials. With a Congress sitting on razor thin majorities in both the House and the Senate, compromise ought to be the name of the game as an ongoing goal. Instead, we're treated to the spectacle of squabbling as more extreme members obstruct work on even those issues for which there is broad support in the U.S.
Clearly, some factors are at play—gerrymandering and our clunky primary election system, to name a couple. These factors incentivize politicians to cozy up to the extremes, rather than embracing the sensible middle ground, which, coincidentally, is where this survey shows Americans are ready to go to get things done.
Supporting compromise isn't just a centrist urge. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike, to the tune of 77 percent, 71 percent, and 68 percent respectively, yearn for a bit of give-and-take in their elected officials. The poll found that the desire for compromise increases with age. Older voters, with their seasoned perspectives, are even more interested in compromise than younger respondents who seem less inclined to negotiate on their principles.
But the findings do not allow a wholly rosy picture. The Common Good survey is armed with the tools to track whether these chasms widen or narrow over time. And the survey exposes the downside of our political theater: The Common Good Index is higher this year at 71.4 percent. An astounding number believe division is getting worse—79 percent see the United States as more divided than it was one year ago. Two thirds (or 65 percent) agree that "our government is so divided that it is no longer effective." Division is clearly taking a toll—about three-quarters (76 percent) agree that "most politicians promote and encourage national division" for self-interested reasons. This survey shows that respondents are also concerned about the effect of inaccurate and poisonous news and social media; 77 percent of respondents view disinformation from social and news media as a "very" or "somewhat serious" threat to the survival of American democracy. The perception that our national division poses a threat to our democracy has skyrocketed to a whopping 72 percent, an 11 point jump over last year.
Yet this survey also showed consensus in some important places: A stunning 79 percent support laws to protect the rights of all voters. And 80 percent would also support a nationwide civics education program in all schools focused on American history, principles, and the responsibilities of citizenship.
It just might take willingness to compromise to get those and other shared goals accomplished. But that willingness is out there. So, as we gear up for the holiday season, let's savor this unexpected gift—the realization that beneath our bickering, there's a shared desire for a little unity and compromise.
Who says politics can't bring people together?
Patricia Duff is the founder of The Common Good, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to open and free dialogue with leaders, experts, and citizens to discuss the pressing issues of the day, and encouraging and ensuring the active participation of all Americans in our political process.
Tom Rogers is an editor-at-large for Newsweek, the founder of CNBC and a CNBC contributor. He also established MSNBC and is the former CEO of TiVo. Currently, executive chair of Engine Gaming & Media, and a member of Keep Our Republic, an organization dedicated to preserving the nation's democracy.
The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
There Is Actually Some Good News Out of Our National Division
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15.12.2023
In the midst of our nation's relentless political tug-of-war, 'tis the season to unwrap a surprising dose of holiday cheer. Beneath the cacophony of partisan clashes, a flicker of hope is emerging. The happy news comes from The Common Good, a non-partisan group championing for reasoned political dialogue and better governance. Its annual Survey on National Division conducted by Emerson College Polling aims to measure how divided we are, illuminate the causes, and reveal possible cures for our seemingly insurmountable political schisms.
And here's the twist: the results aren't all doom and gloom. In fact, they hand us a silver lining, suggesting that our deep-seated differences might not be as immovable as they appear.
According to The Common Good survey, a whopping 86 percent of respondents believe that those on the other side of the political fence are, at the very least, "good and honest people." And 46 percent actually think this is true "often" or "always." That's right, folks; beneath the surface of our heated debates, there's more goodwill than one would think even toward those with whom we disagree.
But wait, there's more. The survey reveals that a staggering number of folks—almost three-quarters (71 percent) of citizens—prefer compromise to governmental paralysis. Americans are signaling that their elected officials should sit down with........
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