The US Elections—A Reason for Anxiety or an Opportunity for Hope and Growth?

As Election Day approaches in America, many people are experiencing heightened anxiety, both from fears about the policy consequences if one’s preferred candidate loses, and because of increased threats of political violence in recent years. Polarization and political violence have recently been on a rise in many parts of the world, not only the United States. Consider Germany, which has seen over 10,000 attacks on politicians in the past 5 years, and France, where 51 candidates were physically attacked in the weeks before the July 2024 national parliamentary elections.

However, there is reason for hope and growth, because these negatives are not the whole story. 

In the midst of current social tensions amidst political divisions, it can be easy to forget that America has experienced periods of worse division and conflict before—and not only survived, but emerged as a better society. The struggle for independence, despite fierce conflict and internal rifts, led to the founding of a nation built on the principles of equality, democratic governance, and religious freedom.  The moral blight of slavery and the Civil War—likely the period of America’s most intense division—eventually gave way to new laws enshrining principles of human rights and equality, and a largely-nonviolent citizen-led civil rights movement that helped to better actualize those principles in the national consciousness and culture.

Divisions and conflict can be messy and painful, but they can also inspire us to work for constructive solutions to the problems that drive them, and so propel us onto a better path forward. If we can move beyond pessimism to believe that something better is possible, and from contempt for those we see as ‘the problem’ to recognizing that they too may hold some ‘piece of the puzzle’ that can be used to build a better whole, we may ultimately come to look back on this polarized period of American history as something that also inspired us to make society better.

Across America, thousands of individuals and organizations are already doing this. In the past decade, citizen-led initiatives to transform toxic polarization have sprung up all over America. 

• The #ListenFirst Coalition comprises more than 500 organizations that are “bringing Americans together across divides to build understanding, trust, relationships, and solutions — to turn down the heat and find a way forward together.” 
• Organizations like Braver Angels are planning specific Election Day initiatives to inspire hope and collaboration across partisan divisions, such as pairing Red- and Blue-leaning voters outside polling stations to share a message of cooperation, regardless of the election’s outcome.
• Even some political leaders are taking more active steps to promote civility and respect across political differences. The National Governors Association’s Disagree Better campaign is an example of both Republican and Democratic politicians working together to set new norms for greater civility in disagreement, stating: “We’ve forgotten how to persuade without hating each other. But our nation’s history shows there’s a better way, and we all need to re-learn how to Disagree Better.”

Notably, research by organizations like More in Common is finding that Americans are actually much less far apart on key values and issues than we tend to think (illuminating what can be called the “perception gap”, or the extent to which Republicans and Democrats think they disagree as compared to the extent that they actually disagree). Its research found that Democrats and Republicans imagine that almost twice as many people on the ‘other side’ hold extreme views than really do, while “(o)verall, Americans’ views are more similar to their political opponents’ than they realize.”

ICRD has collaborated with a number of such organizations, as well as worked directly with faith communities across the United States, to enhance the role that Americans of faith can play in reducing toxic polarization; building resiliency against mis- and disinformation that can fuel hostility and violence toward the ‘other’; rehumanizing perceived adversaries; and facilitating more constructive, civil dialogue across differences.

As we approach this election and then enter its aftermath, what can we as individuals do to reduce our anxiety, assist our neighbors, communities and help our country, regardless of the electoral outcome?

1. First, draw inspiration from what gives you comfort and hope in difficult times. This might involve productive activities, trusted loved ones, or values that inspire. For people of faith, this might involve trust that a higher power is watching over us and we are not alone, and that in the divine scheme of things, good will ultimately triumph over evil. 
2. Live by the values you want to see in our country. Even when others don’t, model the respect, kindness, and integrity you’d like to inspire. Instead of shaming those you disagree with, show them a better way by treating everyone with honor—not because of who they are, but because of who you are.
3. Discourage members of your ‘ingroup’ from using language of contempt, hate, or justification of violence toward the political ‘other’, even in internal conversations. Rachel Kleinfeld, co-author of How to Prevent Political Violence,  points out that people often join political groups for a sense of belonging, not just policy. If we set a standard of civility and respect toward the ‘other’ even within our ingroup, we make contempt and hatred less acceptable.
4. Practice the “3 C’s”—Civility, Compassion, and Curiosity—in conversations with those who disagree with you. Start with open, non-judgmental questions and listen first, summarizing to ensure understanding. Go beyond someone’s policy position to learn about the values, experiences, and concerns behind it. Share your own views from a place of genuine connection. This approach can reveal shared values and common ground.
5. Finally, no matter who wins the election, continue to peacefully advocate and work for the issues that are important to you. Get involved with one of the many depolarization initiatives growing across the country. Consider joining your local Braver Angels alliance (chapter)—or start one! Contact ICRD to let us know how we can help your faith community or organization play a more effective role in depolarization.

Our country’s future is not dependent on who is elected to the Presidency. Political leaders can indeed do a lot to make things better or worse in the short term, but ultimately, it is the larger American citizenry who has more often driven true societal transformation—we need only to look at the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. 

On that note, we can draw inspiration from one of America’s most beloved citizen leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice . . . We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools…Darkness cannot drive out darkness: Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that.…Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”