Colleague Activities
We are always looking for people doing interesting, intractable conflict-related projects to feature on our Colleague Activities Blog. See the Blog Homepage for information on how to submit your work.
-
Do Americans have civic role models?
New research, by More in Common and others, indicates that we have a reason to be concerned about the status of Americans’ civic disposition.
-
Uncommon and nonpartisan: Antidemocratic attitudes in the American public
While American political elites increasingly exhibit an antidemocratic posture, both Democratic and Republican constituencies overwhelmingly and consistently oppose norm violations and partisan violence.
-
Historical Monuments: To Remove or Not to Remove
Renaming or removing a namesake does not change the past, it only prevents us from educating future generations.
-
Why Are Democrats Losing Non-White Voters?
This article argues that the issue is religion: the more Democrats appear like a party of mostly areligious white liberals, the less they will appeal to non-whites
-
Surprising New Findings on Civic Language Ft. Amy McIsaac
Amy McIsaac talks about new findings from PACE's long-term study surveying Americans on their perceptions of civic terms. Some terms, she says, are helping bring Americans together and spur them to action.
-
Tennesseans have different views on guns, but here's how we know solutions are possible
The authors participated in Citizen Solutions, a national civic experiment by Starts With Us that empowers Americans to work across differences to create solutions to divisive issues.
-
Change Makers: People Making a Difference
A 25 minute video from Common Ground Committee highlighting people who really have made a difference on polarization in their communities. And if they did it, so can you!
-
Can Multiracial Democracy Survive?
An article by Horizon's "Chief Organizer" Maria Stephan on the relationship between democracy, autocracy, white supremacy, and racism.
-
Polarization and Political Violence: Rachel Kleinfeld
Rachel Kleinfeld says people talking across differences isn’t enough to end polarization-- there needs to be institutional change and politicians who come together to defend democratic norms.
-
The All-America Conversations Toolkit
This free toolkit from the National Civic League helps people take small, specific actions that give them a sense of confidence that they can work across dividing lines to create stronger and more equitable communities.
-
Resisting Polarization in an Election Season: A Four-Part Curriculum
This self-paced curriculum will help you develop the internal capacities, skills, and confidence you need to become a positive force in conversations around the election where you live, work, worship, and learn.
-
Conversations in Troubled Times
How can we balance the need for immediate action with the ability to check in, listen, and support each other? How do you honor a complex history and personal connections to troubling events? This conversation guide can help.
-
National Week of Conversation | April 15 - 21, 2024
National Week of Conversation was created for those exhausted by the division and hatred who seek ways to turn down the heat of polarization. it is a week to become inspired, equipped and engaged in bridge-building activities.
-
DIY Resources
"These MANY! Civity-created resources can support and guide your efforts to grow civity (a culture of deliberately engaging in relationships of respect and empathy with others who are different) in your community."
-
The Most Engaged Are The Most Partisan. Now What?
The most educated, most engaged citizens are the most partisan. Today's biggest threat to democracy is a poisonous cocktail of othering, aversion and moralization.
-
Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century
A report by the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship on how we can work together, instead of against each other to achieve a true democracy.
-
First Principles
The newsletter of Common Sense 250, this issue proposes a new political coalition in the U.S. based on "first principles" that are supportive of the Constitution. This issue lists what those are.
-
Is the current world order a clash of ideologies: Liberal Dictatorship vs. a Pluralism of Traditions?
This article suggests that the current world order is characterized by a clash of ideologies: on one side, a perceived liberal dictatorship, and on the other, a call for a pluralism of traditions.
-
True or False? Political Passion Is at Odds with Depolarization
One can work toward any political goal while trying to reduce toxic polarization. In fact, taking less polarizing approaches can aid one’s political activism.
-
The Climate Emergency, Conflict and Peace
Part of the Toda Peace Institute's Peace Seminar Series. Dr. Volker Boege discusses why it is important for peace research and practice to engage with the climate crisis.
-
The Day After Violence, The World Needs You.
Shamil Idriss is visiting Israel and reporting on the work that Search for Common Ground teams are doing in the West Bank and Gaza.
-
6 Steps for Mending a Politically Strained Relationship
1/5 of all Americans say politics has harmed a close relationship. If you are one of them, here are six steps you can take to repair the damage and restore the friendship.
-
Nuclear War Impacts on Distant, Non-Combatant Countries
An investigation on the multiple impacts New Zealand might face if nuclear weapons are used elsewhere. Though the risks are substantial, New Zealand and other noncombatants can make changes now to become less vulnerable.
-
American Autocracy Threat Tracker
A comprehensive catalog based on Donald Trump and his associates’ plans, Promises, and propositions based on Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Presidential Transition Project (Project 2025) and Trump's own words.
-
America’s Most Overlooked Political Divide Is Also Its Most Revealing
A persuasive argument that we ought to be paying a lot more attention to the conflict between political activists and everyday citizens.