From Conflict to Connection: Talking Politics in 2025
In today’s world, it can feel like everyone is on opposite sides when it comes to politics. But are we really that divided?
In one of our recent meetings, a former professor from Baldwin Wallace University, Dr. Lauren Copeland, spoke about this topic, sharing first that, “When we think of polarization, we typically think of ideological polarization,” meaning people’s political views are becoming more extreme.
But that’s only part of the story.
What Is Polarization?
There are different kinds of polarization:
Ideological Polarization: People’s beliefs move farther apart.
Affective Polarization: People feel more anger and distrust toward the other side.
Negative Partisanship: People vote not because they love a candidate, but because they dislike the other one.
Dr. Copeland gave a perfect example of negative partisanship from the 2016 presidential election, saying, "The supportive Trump message didn’t work—only hating Hillary did."
But here’s the twist: “We’re not as polarized as the media would want us to think,” Dr. Copeland explains. Most Americans aren’t deeply involved in politics. Many are just choosing between what they see as the lesser of two evils.
A video from Business Insider shows how Congress has become more divided over the last 60 years. But voters themselves? They’re often more moderate than the politicians they’re asked to choose from.
“It’s not a polarized electorate choosing moderate candidates,” Dr. Copeland says. “It’s a moderate electorate choosing from polarized candidates.”
A Look Back: Civil Rights and Party Platforms
To understand how political parties have changed, Dr. Copeland points to the 1948 party platforms. That year, the Democratic Party added civil rights to its platform, which caused a major split. Some Southern Democrats even walked out of the convention. This shows how political sorting, when people shift parties to match their beliefs, has been happening for decades.
So, How Do We Talk to People Who Disagree?
It starts with civil discourse. That means having respectful conversations, even when you don’t agree.
Dr. Copeland says, “You’re not going to go up to just anyone and start talking. The people you talk to will be people you already know—even just a little.”
Here are some tips:
Start with curiosity: Say something like, “I’d like to understand how people feel about this, especially if they see it differently than I do.”
Watch your body language: Make eye contact and stay calm.
Focus on shared values: Find common ground before diving into differences.
Tell a story: “The quickest way to get someone to shut down is with the facts,” Dr. Copeland says. Instead, share a personal experience.
If things get tense, it’s okay to pause. You can say, “It looks like we see this differently. Let’s move on.”
Why Local Politics Matters
One of the best ways to fight polarization is to get involved in your own community. Local issues often bring people together, even if they vote differently in national elections.
Dr. Copeland encourages people to “focus on local politics,” where your voice can make a real difference.
Bottom Line: We may not agree on everything, but we can still talk, listen, and learn from each other. That’s how we build a stronger democracy—one conversation at a time.
