Our political debates need a makeover

People love to argue. In recent politics, debates are upheld as the primary arena of resolving disagreements between the parties involved. However, another way to understand disagreement is through political discussions, designed not for winning, but for mutual comprehension and a productive conversation.

Political discussions provide a more non-judgemental and collaborative approach to addressing diverse viewpoints. They prioritize possessing a receptive mindset and encourage listening to an opposing side in order to find common ground. Debates, on the other hand, trap people in a perceived competition and the desire to win, creating division where one side loses and is seen as incorrect.

The core issues surrounding political debates are that they are slowly becoming less productive due to individuals’ unwillingness to understand different perspectives. Debate encourages people to argue that their side is better, and to hopefully influence an audience or an opponent in the process. This incentivizes participants to defend their points at all costs, refusing to budge and grant a “win” to their “opponent.” As a result, what is meant to be a space for civilized disagreement about social issues now transforms into a pointless battleground where both sides refuse to yield an inch of understanding. For example, a survey conducted by Pew Research Center in 2020 revealed that when reflecting on the 2020 presidential campaign, 76 percent of U.S. adults felt that the campaign was too negative. Additionally, 72 percent of participants felt that it was not focused on important policy issues.

Despite this current trend, it is possible to foster a more open-minded approach to expressing political opinions. Shifting away from divisive political debates and towards discussions can be practiced right here in our classrooms. By building off of ideas instead of tearing them down, students can educate themselves about different perspectives and appreciate nuances to better understand complex issues. Communicating respectfully with those they may not agree with is a valuable life skill, and prioritizing discussion prepares students to become more open and effective leaders in the future.

Students must choose the more productive path of mutual comprehension in political discussions. Moving away from tearing down others’ opinions and instead emphasizing listening is how we will finally find the common ground necessary for genuine progress in our society.