Guide to Conversations Across the Partisan Divide (EP)

Recognizing the corrosive nature of partisan polarization, Essential Partners, a leader in fostering relationships across differences, has developed tools to help individuals navigate political conversations more effectively. Drawing on decades of research, a "Guide to Conversations Across the Partisan Divide" offers strategies to interrupt cycles of polarization, foster curiosity, and create meaningful dialogue across differences. This practical guide emphasizes setting clear expectations, using structured conversation techniques, and maintaining an open, respectful approach. It also includes tips for engaging in constructive discussions both in-person and online. Designed for anyone seeking to communicate across political divides without compromising their values, this resource empowers individuals to build trust, repair relationships, and engage more productively in civic life.

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Read more about the issue guide...

The term polarization describes any situation where people sort themselves into opposing sides, erase the complexity of the individuals as well as the issues, and then spiral into increasingly inhumane treatment of “the other side.” Any difference in views or identities can become polarized.

Partisan polarization (e.g. Democrats versus Republicans) has become particularly harmful for American democracy. It turns our huge, complicated, diverse country into a two-sided political sport. It is corrosive to our communities, our institutions, our relationships, and makes it impossible to address the many challenges we face together.

Drawing on four decades of real-world experience and rigorous research, this guide will equip you to address polarization in your own context.

It will help you speak about what is most important to you in ways that can be heard. It will help you hear different views and experiences with openness and curiosity. It may create opportunities to repair trust, reach new understandings, and forge authentic relationships—even across different convictions and perspectives.

What this guide will not ask you to do is erase or diminish your genuine self. It does not require you to find “common ground” or pretend that political differences don’t have real consequences. We will not ask you to endure verbal abuse, threats, or hate speech.

Here you will find effective tools to help you navigate conversations across the partisan divide in your own context—plus a section at the end focused on constructive social media practices. We believe in you.

Resource URL: https://whatisessential.org/resources/ep-guide-conversations-across-partisan-divide

About Essential Partners (EP)
Founded in 1989, Essential Partners helps people build relationships across differences to address their communities’ most pressing challenges. Our proven approach helps people live, work, worship, and learn better together. Through richer, healthier, more inclusive dialogue, people strengthen relationships while gaining new insight into themselves and each other as well as the problems they face together.

At EP, we believe that the most urgent problems can only be addressed by people who live and work together every day. The strength of relationships rooted in trust and mutual understanding empowers people to address the most pressing challenges—from partisan polarization and political dysfunction to interfaith conflicts and abortion access—without compromising their deepest values or identities. We envision is a world of thriving communities strengthened by difference, connected by trust.

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