Political debate is a key part of democratic participation, often forming the basis for voters’ decisions and shaping the electoral outcome. In addition, political debate can contribute to an individual’s understanding of the issue and help them to form a more complete picture of potential solutions.
Most of us think that we engage in political debate frequently, especially when it comes to high profile topics like climate change and gun control. But new research finds that we misperceive not only the frequency of our debates, but also their format.
In reality, most debate takes place in person between close friends, family members and coworkers. While these discussions may not be as high-profile or as intense as the presidential debates we see on television, they are often more productive. Researchers have found that when participants are able to deconstruct their arguments and learn from others, they leave the exchange with a more positive view of politics.
To have a constructive debate, all parties need to be willing to open their claims to criticism and to step outside their immediate positions to understand the underlying interests behind their interlocutor’s stance. This is not a call for middling compromise on the substance of an argument, but for each party to agree to abide by a set of rules that does not give one side presumptive access to facts or logic.
To do this, it is helpful to listen more than speak, and to reflect back what you have heard to show that you are actually listening. It can also be helpful to restate the problem in a more neutral way, and then ask whether there are other ways of solving it that might cost less.
