Overcoming Polarization in the Public Square

This book describes how civic dialogue can serve as an antidote to a polarized public square. It argues that when pervasive polarization renders rational and fact-based argumentation ineffective, we first need to engage in a way that builds trust. Civic dialogue is a form of structured discourse that utilizes first-person narratives in order to promote trust, openness, and mutual understanding. By creating a dialogic structure that encourages listening and reflection, particularities and differences about fraught identities can be expressed in such a way that leads to the possibility of connecting through our fundamental, shared, and deeply felt humanity. Drawing on Plato, Buber, Gadamer, Dewey, cognitive bias research, as well as the work of dialogue practitioners, Lauren Swayne Barthold provides a sustained defense of civic dialogue as an effective strategy for avoiding futile political arguments and for creating pluralistic democratic communities.

“Dialogue is an antidote to the deep ruptures in our public life. Lauren Swayne Barthold offers the richest and most deeply grounded recent account of what dialogue is, what it accomplishes, what makes it work well, and how it relates to other practices and values.”
–Peter Levine, Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Tisch College of Civic Life, Tufts University, USA

 “Lots of books tell us that we need to stop being polarized and start talking to each other, but few if any ever tell us how to do that. This book does; it is an engaging, deeply informed defense of the importance of dialogue—not debate—for democracy.”
–Michael Patrick Lynch, author of Know-it-All Society (2019)

 “If you are a public engagement facilitator working in highly polarized situations, there is no better theoretical foundation than this book. It examines why dialogue must come before deliberation if societal problems are to be solved over the long term.  If you care about re-infusing our society with democratic norms, this is a must read for our times.”
–Linda Ellinor, co-author of Dialogue:  Rediscover the Transforming Power of Conversation (1998)

Lauren Swayne Barthold teaches ethics and conflict transformation at Endicott College, USA.  She also serves as program developer for the Heathmere Center for Cultural Engagement, a non-profit devoted to engaging youth through dialogue and the arts.