Recent BI and Substack Posts

We've updated our collection of learning materials focused on rising threat of authoritarianism and populist revolts on the left and right. #mbi_fundamentals

Pursuing truth, accountability, apology, and structural and policy changes all contribute to reconciliation. #mbi_fundamentals

Providing an historical and theoretical basis for the concept of reconciliation and beginning to explore ways it can be pursued. #mbi_fundamentals

We need to better understand how to see and avoid the many traps (and sinister cons) that are dragging us into ever more destructive conflict. #mbi_frontiers

While it is always hard to make good-faith democratic governance work, it is even harder when people are actively trying to make it fail. #mbi_frontiers

Like the vulnerable US football players, we need better ways to protect ourselves from destructive efforts to undermine our ability to work together. #mbi_frontiers

As an introduction to a series of three videos that we will be posting this week on the "Bad-Faith Actor" problem, a look at how this fits into the larger problem of how to more constructively handle intractable conflict. #mbi_frontiers

Even when conflicts are stalemated, some common ground is likely to give disputants a toe-hold onto transformation. #mbi_fundamentals

Equalizing power actually helps both the powerful and the powerless, as it makes negotiation and mutually-beneficial outcomes possible for all. #mbi_fundamentals

Small groups can use the tools of large groups to develop consensus visions of their future relationship--often with even more success. #mbi_fundamentals

Reframing us-vesus them, conciliatory gestures, and using the optimal power strategy mix are several approaches that can further reconciliation. #mbi_fundamentals

By first listening, and second speaking in respectful and surprisingly "reasonable" ways, people can de-escalate conflicts and begin to work on reconciliation. #mbi_fundamentals

A Introduction to a five-part strategy for overcoming the conflict problems that are preventing us from building a society in which we would all like to live. #mbi_frontiers

Motivated by a mass shooting in our community, we've spent the last week thinking about how our insights into the intractable conflict problem can help. #mbi_cci

Democracy is a system for wisely, equitably, and nonviolently managing conflicts between people with deep cultural differences who are also in continuing competition for scarce resources.

An exploration of what we need to do to bend the arc of history back toward peace and democracy and away from autocracy, problem-solving paralysis, and civil strife.

An explanation of why it is in our best interest to empathize with our enemies (even when we don't expect them to reciprocate).

You can't get to where you want to go, if you don't know where it is. So how can you get to a desired future, if you don't know what that future looks like? #mbi_fundamentals

Giving "the other" the benefit of the doubt most of the time will lead to better outcomes for everyone. #mbi_cci

Competition, collaboration, compromise, avoidance, and accommodation all have costs and benefits. Know which is best when! #mbi_fundamentals

Today's culture wars are largely attributable to the fact that the different generations adapted their beliefs to very different social conditions. #mbi_fundamentals

Based on the Constructive Conflict Initiative, a 45 min. video that explains to students and others concerned about the world's many problems why the conflict threat is as serious as climate change and what they can do to help address it. #mbi_cci

The outcry over the ad was more a reflection of ourselves than it was about the ad. If we look more deeply at our reactions, we might be able to see the value of its basic message. #mbi_cci

No matter how hard forgiveness may seem, there are strategies that have been successfully used to make it work. #mbi_fundamentals

Using Lederach's "Meeting Place' metaphor, we consider how "truth and mercy have met together; peace and justice have kissed." #mbi_fundamentals