Overcoming Polarization

Around the world, democracy is being undermined by elected
leaders using polarizing political strategies that divide societies
into mutually distrustful camps. The logic of polarization creates
incentives for political leaders and voters alike to sacrifice
democratic principles rather than risk their side losing power, and
it changes the capacity of institutions designed to manage
political conflict and sustain democracy. Drawing lessons from
experiences around the world, we propose strategies for oppositions
to depolarize or repolarize around democracy-building agendas. We
further analyze the challenges of “the day after” polarizing
incumbents are removed, and how strategic choices to emphasize
long-term collective interests over short-term partisan interests
can begin to shift the vicious cycle to a virtuous one.