On Tuesday, the Karsh Institute of Democracy and the Miller Center co-hosted a “Democracy Dialogues” event on how Americans can disagree better. The Dome Room discussion featured Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) and Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT). Professor Mary Kate Cary and Professor Jennifer Lawless, who currently co-teach the Election 2024 class, were the moderators.
In his introduction of the event, President Ryan explained that this conversation among such a bipartisan panel perfectly exemplifies the core mission of the Democracy Dialogues. He highlighted two important goals of the initiative: to hold meaningful and productive conversations in the University community, and to model how to have such conversations across political divides for the next generation.
The governors, who were candid about their past work together and their genuine friendship, took turns responding to questions posed by Cary and Lawless. Below are seven of their key points about disagreeing better, paraphrased from the panel discussion. While the sentiments are attributed to different governors, the vast majority were shared by Murphy, a Democrat, and Cox, a Republican.
- Conflict is neutral, not inherently good or bad.
Governor Cox explained that conflict only becomes a problem when it is unhealthy. The United States was built to support conflict and survive in the face of it. The recent exponential increase in threats of violence toward elected officials — at the local and national levels — represents unhealthy conflict and paint a grim picture for the future of democracy. We must learn to hold different opinions productively and respectfully.
- Disagreeing better is not about finding common ground or compromise.
While acknowledging the importance of compromise in some circumstances, Governor Murphy defined a different goal of “disagreeing better”: to keep our own opinions, but to do so constructively and healthily.
- Get back to primary sources!
Governor Murphy shared that the largest remaining newspaper in New Jersey recently decided to close. He fears that people are moving away from fact-checked, well-researched sources in favor of social media and news delivered by “knuckleheads.” Murphy reminded the audience that finding primary sources, whether you like what they say or not, is crucial, whether in day-to-day life, education, or the workplace.
- When certainty happens, learning ends.
Governor Cox spoke fondly of his college days, reminiscing on a time when he would disagree vehemently with his peers in a political conversation one minute, but still get dinner with them the next. While student organizations devoted to bipartisanship give him hope, Cox is alarmed by the self-censorship and general lack of curiosity or willingness to listen to other perspectives that he has seen. “When certainty happens,” he said, “learning ends.”
- Hope is not going to come from the top down; it starts with us.
Governor Cox discussed the “perception gap”; if you ask people about their opinions on political issues, the average Democrat and the average Republican do not fall very far apart from one another. However, each group thinks that the other has much more extreme opinions than it really does. This difference in perception is being fueled by politicians and campaigns. It is up to individuals to begin to close the gap.
- Don’t underestimate personal chemistry and relationships.
Governor Murphy affirmed Governor Cox’s focus on the personal level, highlighting the importance of having friendships across political divides. Bringing together people who have a genuine interest in seeing democracy function can be powerful.
- You don’t need to change the world, but you do need to change your neighborhoods.
Both governors stressed the importance of service and the idea that change always starts locally. They each have a long history of civic engagement that began at a young age and close to their respective homes. Governor Cox succinctly stated, “UVA grads, I don’t need you to go out and change the world. I do need you to go out and change your neighborhoods.”
To conclude the event, the governors discussed the recent election results in the context of the complicated history of the United State, acknowledging the significance of sitting in Thomas Jefferson’s Rotunda. They implored audience members to stop treating the people they disagree with as enemies; Americans must remember that they are Americans first.
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