LWV Cooperstown Area's  Long-Term Reducing Polarization Project

The 2024 election season is already upon us and our nation’s condition of polarized discourse has stayed the same.  For example, one theme that has been much in the news lately is the (mis)handling of classified documents.  An instructive exercise to help us understand polarization is to step aside from our own opinions on the issue, and even set aside the literal facts of each particular case, and survey what people from different points of view are writing and saying about the relative severity and different implications of our leaders having classified documents at their private residences.  The dynamic of this discussion is repeated over and over again in conversations about other themes, but this one is particularly interesting because it involves both sides concurrently.

The project began with a book discussion of Ezra Klein's Why We're Polarized. (Note--the Cooperstown Public Library has copies of Klein's book available to borrow).  Two or three conversations, based on Klein's book, were held before the November 2022 midterm election.  Reading and conversation will continue on a monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly basis, as decided upon by the group and based on the needs and energy of participants, through the 2024 presidential election.
We framed the November conversation around the question: “How did a theme/idea/chapter topic from Ezra Klein’s book manifest in a midterm election?”  Participants  choose a theme (campaign finance, media coverage, identity, etc), then choose a midterm race (21st or 19th NY Congressional district, NY governor, Ohio Senate, Pennsylvania Senate or governor, Georgia governor, etc.), then observe what happens.  Doing this gave us, collectively, a good look at a cross section of American politics, adding real-life insights to Klein’s analysis.  Another point: by no means do you have to read the book from cover to cover.   The action part of the project encourages participants to engage in events/activities/research either organized by the League or sponsored by other organizations to reduce polarization.

Below are list of resources about political polarization. Thomas Frank is one of my personal favorite writers who critiques the liberal establishment from within.  The websites are self-explanatory.  Several of them provide opportunities for reducing polarization that you can do right now.  There is some interest in watching Michael Smerconish's speech as a group and discussing it.  Maybe that’s how we’ll resume the discussion in the new year, perhaps inviting some neighbors/family/friends who might expand the political diversity of the group.

The project is open to all members of the League and their families and friends. If you are interested in participating or have a question, please emailtompullyblank [at] gmail.com"> Tom .

Here's our complete booklist:

 The project is open to all members of the League and their families and friends. If you are interested in participating in the discussions, please email tompullyblank [at] gmail.com">Tom Pullyblank .