The Project for Civic Health applauds the many groups who are promoting efforts for a more respectful discourse in our diverse body politic.
Numerous organizations across the nation have made recommendations about how we can more successfully engage with each other in civic life. One that we want to highlight is the Better Arguments Project.
This national civic initiative was created to bridge divides by helping people have discussions that bring us together rather than drive us apart. By working with communities and advisers across the country, the Better Arguments Project has developed an approach to improve our dialogues.
As part of their approach, the Better Arguments Project promotes these “Five Principles of a Better Argument”:
- Take winning off the table
Lead with a desire to understand and learn, rather than to win. Many debates have participants battle it out with the goal of winning or defeating the other side. A Better Argument, however, is about presence and the robust exchange of ideas.
- Prioritize relationships and listen passionately
Focus on building honest connections. An argument is improved when we prepare to listen, not just advance our own points of view. Seek to learn more about a person beyond their opinion on the topic about which you are arguing. Also make a point to share more about yourself than just your own opinion.
- Pay attention to context
Acknowledge the many factors that may influence beliefs. Civic debates don’t take place in a vacuum. Rather, they are surrounded by the context of lived experiences, access to information, culture, and more. Make room for these influences by trying to understand why a person holds a belief, rather than having a knee-jerk reaction.
- Embrace vulnerability
Vulnerability is necessary to enter a conversation that is not simply confirming your own worldview. Being vulnerable can open new avenues for human connection, but it can take experience to gently push your comfort zone while ensuring you are still comfortable with the interaction.
- Make room to transform
Be open to new and varied perspectives. Without a goal of winning, the experience of a Better Argument can change how we engage with a difficult issue and with one another in daily interactions.
The Project for Civic Health encourages us all to use these techniques to strengthen our communications and civic connections. Have you found ways to hold better discussions and improve your civic connections? Please let us know!