Understanding Polarization

There’s a lot of talk these days about “polarization” in politics and in humankind in general, but what effects does this really have on us? The impacts are wide spread and far reaching so what, if anything at all, can YOU do about it?

We should start with the basic understandings of what polarization is. More specifically, political polarization is defined as the increasing ideological distance and political division between groups, particularly between political parties or factions. In modern contexts, it often involves a shift from moderate or centrist viewpoints to more extreme positions, with little common ground between opposing sides. This sharp division can be characterized by intense partisan loyalty, a reduced ability to find compromise, and the dehumanization or vilification of opponents. And although these concepts may seem more evident and in your face today, these are not new concepts to humanity. Examples reach far enough back into history that it appears in the earliest of documented history. It’s ALWAYS been here.

Polarization doesn’t always have to lead to war, but you can certainly see how it can be a catalyst for it. When opposing views are pulled so far apart that the common ground is diminished to nothing that’s when all other conversation breaks down. Now you end up with the aforementioned dehumanization and vilification that ultimately leads to war. Certainly, there are many other ingredients that lead to these situations, but all can boiled down to fear and what each side of the topic views as a hinderance to their happiness and their way of life.

So what can we do in our everyday lives to prevent us from waging war on our neighbors and outright dismissing those with sharply opposing viewpoints from us? OK, are you ready for the answer? It’s going to seem so basic and obvious once you know it… It’s love. Love inspires us to be courageous to defend what we believe in while remaining understanding enough to ensure our actions do not impede someone else’s happiness. With very few exceptions to this rule, love illuminates the needs of all while slashing through all the indifference that prevents a non-loving conversation from resulting in a stalemate. The key is that both sides must enter into it with love in their heart before anything else. Sounds reasonable, right? But is it practical?

Why is it so hard for people to act with love in their hearts? Pride, jealousy, confusion, denial, and outright fear can stomp all over love’s intended impacts in an instant. The love a parent has for their child can provide super human strength allowing them to lift impossible objects to save their child. So how can it also be broken down to the point that it no longer enters into the daily ongoing and conversation anymore? The love for one another and for your neighbors, coworkers, political figures, etc is currently under attack and you posses the skills and attributes to combat it by simply injecting a little love into the situation.

The number one tactic deployed today to omit love from your life is none other than fear itself. It’s the driving force behind the media and advertising that you are being constantly bombarded with whether you realize it or not. It can come in the form of severe weather alerts or clickbait to get your attention to sell advertising or even your elected official telling you to fear their opponents because of the rights that will be taken from you if you don’t. The desire to keep up with your neighbors or family in social status is rooted in the fear of missing out (FOMO). Even growing up you were taught not to touch the stove because “it’s hot and will burn you!” Fear is a great tool and can convince you to do things you had no idea you were capable of doing. It can also turn your closest friends and family members into people you barely recognize anymore.

Living life with love in your heart is not a new concept I just came up with now is it? So why is it so hard for us to live this concept? Think about the last time you got into your head and said “you know what this situation needs is more love.” When was the last time you asked yourself “What Would Jesus Do?” Not likely any time recently, right? To succeed in life we are taught that it’s “every man for himself” and “only the strong succeed.” Isolationism, right? Weakness is unacceptable and coming out on top in every situation is paramount to success no matter what. You have been taught this your whole life along with many, many generations before you so clearly there is going to be a tendency to behave in a manner that is consistent with the collective “normal.” If a stranger walked up to you on the street and said “I love you” you’d think he was a lunatic and you shouldn’t be talking to him out of fear for what he may do to you, right? Until love becomes the accepted currency, it will be questioned and doubted because we have lost so much faith in our fellow human beings to do the right thing that we tend not to trust people that show us genuine love. Humankind is intended to love and be loved, but has been reduced to fearful puppets taught to replicate what they see instead of reaching down and throwing love back into the world everywhere they go.