How American Schools Can Address Political Polarization |
Polarization has become one of the defining threats to American democracy. The philosopher Robert B. Talisse distinguishes between two kinds of polarization: political and belief polarization.
Political polarization can be good for democracy, he argues, as democracy “presupposes political disagreement” among citizens who have staunch convictions. “Any response to the challenge of sustaining democracy that calls on citizens to set aside their rivalry is a dodge,” he writes.
But belief polarization undermines democracy by fostering groupthink, inciting people to become dogmatic, “less responsive to counterevidence,” and hostile toward those with differing views. This diminishes the quality of our lives—ruining friendships, unsettling families, and exacerbating anxiety. Polarization also impedes social progress as it enables politicians to be elected by stoking toxic culture rather than by doing the hard work of solving complex societal problems.
To address these issues, some schools have turned to civics content, media literacy, and dialogue initiatives. These efforts are well-intentioned, and civics knowledge is essential. But they misunderstand the problem. Polarization is more than a knowledge deficit. It is a self-government deficit.
I believe citizenship requires habits that can only be cultivated through experience. People must live with........