CHAPTER 7: COMPLICATE—EMBRACE CONTRADICTORY COMPLEXITY
CHAPTER 7 SUMMARY
Two types of complexity were outlined here – consistent and contradictory. The first is the main source of intransigence in our thinking, feeling and action, the second a remedy for it.
Both forms of complexity can operate at different levels – from our brain structures, thinking and feeling to our family and community structures and international relations.
Consistent forms of high complexity are often the source of vicious, runaway cycles of escalation, while contradictory forms often are able to keep escalation in check.
The research clearly shows that contradictory complexity results in more constructive forms of conflict management – up to a point.
There are a wide variety of ways to increase contradictory complexity in your world, from acknowledging your own internal contradictions and learning to think with smart people who differ politically from you, to increasing complexity in your problem analyses, political conversations, media choices and community groups.
CHAPTER 7 EXERCISES AND ASSESSMENTS
Mapping Your Social Identity Complexity
Exercise #1
Mapping Toxic Political Polarization
Exercise #2
Dialogue vs. Debate: Thinking WITH Others
Exercise #3
Guidelines for Dialogue
Exercise #4
Political Difference Engagement Survey
Exercise #5
CHAPTER 7 IMPLICATIONS
Implications for Your Community
Implications for You
How certain are you of the malicious intent of your opposition? How about your own innocence and victimization in this relationship? Is their any room for doubt?
Are you able to break down this problem into different parts and then put them back together again to gain a coherent understanding of the whole problem?
How often do you change the channel – seek out news and information from sources that lean in the opposite political direction from your own?
When struggling with this relationship, how often do you experience contradictory – both positive and negative – emotions about the other?
How effective are you at being able to both inquire (explore the other’s interests, and needs) and advocate (for your own interests, and needs) when in conflict with this person or group?
To what degree do you identify with different political or cultural groups or issues that seem contradictory with each other (e.g., Evangelical Christian and pro-choice)?
How diversified are your own personal and professional networks when it comes to political orientation?
Do you have a mixed-political marriage or family (Red and Blue)?
Do you belong to any groups or organizations that include many members of the opposing political group?
Who are the people on the other side of this divide that you feel are smart, informed and well-intentioned, despite your political disagreements?
How many of your neighbors and friends have mixed-political marriages or families?
Do you belong to sports teams, business organizations or places of worship that welcome people from the opposing political group?
When was the last time you went to a social event where there was a mixed representation of members of different political groups?
How often do you and your family travel to places in the U.S. where you meet members of the other political party?
Do you have people in your personal or professional lives that are effective at playing devils advocate – at taking the opposite point-of-view in political or cultural conversations?
Which are the news sources that you feel offer the best and most nuanced coverage of local and national political events? Do you listen to them regularly?
Where are the political advocacy groups and organizations in your community that you feel manage to advocate for their cause effectively while also remaining decent and fair and respectful?
Who are the leaders in your community that you feel best model strength of conviction and decency and respect for difference?