The first part of this article carried views of a cross-section of Americans. Here are responses of some people we contacted in India, where the 6-week general election is all steamed up.
Political polarization seems to be sweeping many countries, including America and India. In India, stark differences have emerged between the ruling party and the opposition parties on emotive issues like religion and nationalism, as seen in the ongoing six-week general election.
What is more worrisome is political becoming personal. People who commented for this 2-part article stated that they have witnessed political differences leading to heated arguments, strained interactions, and even rifts in relationships.
The solutions suggested include promoting civic education, having open, respectful dialogues, curbing misinformation, and having political parties prioritize national interests over power gain. Read on.
Character building is valuable for civility
~Kiran Bedi
Yes, I have witnessed conversations turn vitriolic on TV shows, particularly in debates. They are often rude, crude, loud, and not based on facts. They are misleading. They appear intentionally for a vested interest, anti-national, even hostile.
How can we maintain serenity and calm amid flared tempers? Civility is a learned culture, whether in public places or at home with family, with friends or foes.
Listening is in good character. But giving one’s opinion is a responsibility when defending one’s country.
We need character building at the societal and national levels, which is valuable for civility in all conduct. We should have the confidence to express ourselves in a peaceful manner yet with integrity of purpose.
Two seemingly opposite worldviews can both be right
~Rajiv Gupta
Yes, I have seen tempers rise when politics is discussed at social gatherings, family get-togethers, and even when old pals meet. WhatsApp groups are worse where people make personal attacks and quarrel like kids.
What has made us so intolerant? Why do we turn our friend into a foe when he or she disagrees? Have we forgotten that we grow by hearing, absorbing, and contemplating opinions that are diverse and divergent from ours? “No politics, please, at the dinner table” is also worrisome. What has happened to us as a society? Why can’t we discuss politics? Having to perforce steer the discussion to another topic If the ‘passionate warriors’ want to persist with their arguments just to avoid creating an unsavory scene — is that what we call civil and educated people?
Healing the divide at the societal level must start with education at home and in school. Good mentors among us will teach us that there aren’t black-or-white answers to any problem. We must learnt to think in shades of grey. Two, recognize that people’s beliefs or opinions are formed by their upbringing, exposure, and experiences. Three, acknowledge that two seemingly opposite worldviews can both be right at the same time. Didn’t Einstein shock the world by declaring that light is a particle and a wave?
It is also important to exercise discretion regarding what we consume on social media. If we allow social media companies’ algorithms to show us reels, posts, and content while we passively scroll, we would have given them charge of our lives.
These days, political parties’ discourse is an unending tit-for-tat game. They are doing ‘whatever it takes to win’. Understandably. More dangerous are their self-proclaimed torchbearers with no affiliation or contribution to societal change. Those who believe their view alone is right and will save the world and that anything contrarian should be nipped in the bud. We need to start scoffing at them and hope that they realize that mere words without actions or contributions are exposing their shallowness. In that might lie seeds of change.
School children must be exposed to all sides of issues
~Razia Grover
No, I have not noticed nasty political discussions around me. Maybe that is because I and those close to me have either not been in touch with people who are not like-minded or have never ventured into controversial conversations.
But to avoid political divides affecting us, keep your conversations calm and balanced. This is hard to do now as both sides are passionate about their views. Were the media not stifled, everyone would have enough avenues to express their views in relative safety.
At the societal level, history, political science, and law must be taught from younger ages. We have erudite and rational scholars, apart from foreign authors, who must be credited for their meticulous research and articulation. Teachers must be chosen through a rigorous system as we do for civil services. School kids must be more exposed to all sides of issues. Don’t underestimate children’s intelligence. Banning and deleting chapters from books is not the answer. School books need massive upgrades. Funds for education must be abundant.
Treat those on the other side with respect and humanity
~Shivi Verma
Yes, family WhatsApp groups, housing society groups, social media, and public and private discourse are badly afflicted by political and ideological polarization. Relationships are becoming bitter and acrimonious because no one is willing to consider opinions differing from their own.
It’s not the fault of people per se but a reflection of our times. Ideologies are like tectonic plates; they keep changing underneath with the changing social and political milieu until they finally become vociferous and visible, causing major disturbances. We need to cultivate dispassion and objectivity to deal effectively with this phenomenon.
When discussing a conflictual topic, we must consider the other’s perspective while batting for our own ideas. Ego and self-righteousness need to be kept aside. There is a reality different from ours, no matter how small or unevolved. Upbringing, culture, and experiences shape a person’s worldview, and only with patience can we effect any positive change in the public discourse. We also need to accept that those with different politics also want to preserve social and national interest.
The media can play a role in reversing the trend of hyper-partisanship. Instead of screaming their lungs out and becoming TRP hunters or political sycophants, they can invite intellectuals who genuinely care for public welfare and larger national interests and who sincerely want to discover where a certain ideology went off-track. The news channels should have discussions rather than debates, where the panel is keen on finding solutions rather than scoring points over another.
Indians are largely controlled by emotions, and politicians know that elections are won on emotional appeals, not performance. But getting emotionally charged favorably or against an issue works to our disadvantage.
Just because we hero worship a leader doesn’t mean he is perfect or lacks the shrewdness politicians are known for. While applauding him for tasks well done, let’s not get carried away by his charm and keep an eye on where he boasted or failed to deliver. It is important to keep an open mind and listen impartially to those who could be calling into question some of our favorite leader’s policies.
Finally, let’s be civil and courteous and treat others with respect and humanity, no matter our personal beliefs.
Don’t demonize people based on ideology or religion
~Cyrus Vesuvala
We have friends who have told us that they are afraid to bring up any political discussion, even in conversations within their immediate family, because things tend to get very heated very quickly, and the discussion spirals out of control and strains even close family ties.
For the last few years, one has tried to avoid political discussions in parties/gatherings to forestall unpleasantness, particularly where others who might hold different views are present and where the atmosphere of the gathering/party could be vitiated by such a discussion spiraling out of the bounds of civility.
In online group chats, one has recently had to impose the dictum: “No discussion of politics or religion on this chat.” People mostly comply. But in a couple of groups, one has had to remind certain members from time to time gently.
At a wider level, political leaders need to be made to stop playing this card of division for political gain by demonizing people with different political ideologies, or different religious backgrounds, or simply different ethnicities as “the Enemy”.
Each one of us is entitled to have an opinion, but that does not give us the right not to accept that another person could rightfully hold a different viewpoint without necessarily being anti-national or a terrorist.
Viewpoints can be debated but should never be turned into the hatred-spewing that passes for ‘debate’ these days.
A lot must happen at the family and school level, too, where children must be inculcated with a less divisive, more inclusive ethos from a young age.
Foster a comprehension of politics to thwart leaders’ tactics
~Vivek Dhanauroo
Before discussing polarization, it’s crucial to grasp the essence of politics. Contradictory notions among political parties are inherent, and in today’s world, seeking a middle ground among them is like chasing a utopian dream.
Every politician aspires to attain and retain power, often resorting to divisive techniques based on religion, caste, or creed. Such strategies are commonplace in contemporary politics. The irony is that ordinary people, lacking a good understanding of politics, engage in political discourse. This engenders animosity among families and friends. I have observed such tendencies, particularly among the middle class, perhaps due to their opinionated nature.
If we foster a thorough comprehension at the individual and societal level of the political system, we will be less susceptible to politicians’ manipulative tactics. When we no longer fall prey to their schemes, they will be compelled to adapt, as our demands will focus on substantive issues rather than superficial matters. In this manner, we can contribute to creating a healthier democracy.
~With inputs from Raji Menon Prakash and Navni Chawla
For the first part of this article go to:
