Parent (Previous) Guide Folders
Constructive Conflict Guide >
The Complex Factors That Make Intractable Conflict So Difficult >
Conflict "Overlay" Problems >
Escalation
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BI Article
Polarization
Polarization of a conflict occurs as a conflict rises in intensity (that is, escalates). Often as escalation occurs, more and more people get involved, and take strong positions either on one side or the other. "Polarization" refers to the process in which people move toward extreme positions ("poles"), leaving fewer and fewer people "in the middle."
BI Article
Red, Blue, Gold Interactions, Destructive Polarization and the Peacebuilding Imperative
An explanation of the critical distinction between left vs. right conflicts and authoritarians vs. everyone else conflicts.
BI Article
U.S. Hyper Polarization---Over the Edge?
The escalation driving the US' hyperpolarized conflict is precariously close to crossing the violence threshold. The time to stop this is now.
BI Article
Where Does The Nightmare of Continuing Hyper-Polarization End?
As we all focus our attention on helping assure that our side wins the upcoming election, we should also be asking how we can repair the social fabric.
BI Article
Julia Roig: Rethinking 'Polarization' as the Problem
BI Audio/Video
Talking Intractability, Polarization and Ways Out with Peter Coleman
Peter Coleman talks about his years' long study of intractability, focusing on empirical research and physical science concepts such as attractors to find better ways of dealing with these very difficult conflicts.
BI Article
Zach Elwood on the Belief that "Polarization is not the Problem"
Polarization is hurting both sides, and both sides should be concerned about reducing it if they want to achieve any of the high-priority goals.
BI Audio/Video
Heidi Burgess and James Coan on the Problem of De-Polarization and Scale
James Coan, Co-Founder of More Like US is trying to figure out how to work "at scale" to diminish "the perception gap" between what people think "the other" is like and what they are really like.
BI Article
Introducing a Discussion with Bernie Mayer and Jackie Font Guzman about Neutrality and Related Matters
Introduction to what we hope will become a lengthy discussion about the nature of the challenges facing America and the role conflict resolution experts can and should play in addessing those challenges.
BI Article
Heidi and Guy Burgess Talk with Tom Klaus and Lamar Roth in their "Third Space"
Tom Klaus and Lamar Roth talked with Guy and Heidi Burgess about Beyond Intractability, hyper-polarization, constructive conflict, and ways we are going to get out of the "mess" we are in.
BI Article
Can we lower toxic polarization while still opposing Trump?
In the United States, hyper-polarization has escalated to the point where President Trump is trying to destroy pretty much everything Democrats care about. The question is how can the Democrats defend themselves while also working to defuse the hyper-polarization that made Trump's Presidency possible.
BI Article
USIP, CRS, and FMCS and Responding to Ashok Panikkar's Question about Hyper-Polarization
We reflect on the implications and impact of the closing of FMCS, USIP, and probably CRS, what might be done about that, and then turn to answering Ashok Panikkar's question about whether hyper-polarization is "logical and rational," given the current state of the world.
BI Article
Part 2 of the Burgess's Answer to Ashok Panikkar's Questions about Hyperpolarization and Today's World
We finish answering Ashok Panikkar by talking about other drivers of hyper-polarization: globalization and technology driven job loss, identity politics, cable news and social media, and distrust of institutions. We also address Ashok's notion of theory of continuity and share what we think it will take to "save" liberal democracy in the U.S.
BI Article
Hyper-Polarization, the Pandemic, and the Need for a "Lifeboat Ethic"
The many existential threats we face are requiring us to put aside our differences and learn how to work together.
BI Article
The Ukrainian War: What Happens When You Have a War That Both Sides Absolutely, Positively Can't Afford to Lose?
A look at runaway escalation and what happens when people feel that they are enmeshed in a climactic battle that they simply cannot lose.
BI Article
Louis Kriesberg: Asymmetric Polarization
Lou Kriesberg, co-author with Bruce Dayton of Constructive Conflicts, offers his view that "polarization" implies equivalance of responsibility, which is not accurate.
Related Folders
Overcoming Hyper-Polarization, Escalation, and the Forces of Disintegration
Polarization and escalation tend to make conflicts increasingly intense. But there are a variety of conflict resolution strategies that can help de-polarize and de-escalate conflicts so that they at least do less damage, and at best, might be resolved.
Colleague Activities
How Affective Polarization Undermines Support for Democratic Norms
When in power, political parties tend to oppose constitutional protections that they support when they are out of power -- a tendency that undermines efforts to cultivate broadly supported norms.
Colleague Activities
First Principles: The Need for Greater Consensus on the Fundamentals of Polarisation
A discussion of the definition of polarization, why it is so important, and how it might be addressed, including, perhaps by creating an academic "field" of polarization.
Colleague Activities
Making Peace in a Polarized Nation
This session aims to elucidate the psychological factors that contribute to identity-based polarization, offer insights into what makes such polarization toxic, and identify ways to reduce toxic polarization and bridge partisan divides.
News and Opinion
In the United States, Polarization Runs Particularly Deep
In order to escape from today's deep political divide, we need articles like this one that help us understand the origins of our troubles.
News and Opinion
Why Is America Always Divided 50--50
An analysis of the many reasons why the United States continues to be so evenly and so bitterly divided with important insights for bridge-building efforts.
BI Article
Beyond Conflict's Reports on America's Divided Mind and Renewing American Democracy