Knowledge Center

A behavioral-science case against contempt as a political strategy, from a former AEI president, offering a credible cross-ideological messenger when pitching this work to skeptical audiences.

A cross-partisan road-trip narrative between two friends with opposing politics, an accessible, story-driven entry point practitioners can recommend to newcomers or skeptical audiences.

An academic treatment, published by Palgrave Macmillan, of how structured dialogue built around personal narrative, not just rational argument, can rebuild trust across political division, grounded in philosophy and cognitive-bias research.

Argues that renewing national unity requires committing to kindness, decency, and grace toward those we disagree with.

USA Today reporter Nathan Bomey profiles bridge-building efforts around the country, from a Washington D.C. youth arts program to a moderated conversation between conservatives and liberals, arguing that personal relationships and social trust, not facts or statistics, are what actually reduce polarization.

Reflections from the co-founder of Braver Angels, one of the field’s best-known organizations, offering a direct tie to a peer organization practitioners likely already know.

Distinguishes genuine civility from mere politeness through historical storytelling, offering useful framing for practitioners who need to explain why civility matters as substance, not etiquette.

A political scientist’s practitioner-usable framework built around shared identities and values as a bridging mechanism, rather than dialogue technique alone.