Recent BI and Substack Posts

An explanation of why, for a healthy democracy, it is so important that voters believe that their core interests will be protected--even when they lose an election! #mbi_fundamentals

The "invisible hand" upon which so much of liberal democracy depends is now being undermined by a wide range of "gray zone" attacks on negotiation processes.

Universities need to teach about ways of understanding and influencing complex systems, and encourage true multi-disciplinary efforts to do so. #mbi_cci

Armies of artists can engage people in peacebuilding the way other conflict handling professionals cannot. #mbi_cci

Addressing hyper-polarization as a complex problem is essential--but figuring out how to do so successfully is very tricky. #mbi_cci

An in-depth look at the philosophy behind academic impartiality with important lessons for those thinking about neutrality in the conflict resolution field. #mbi_context

For peace to be sustained, it requires a shared vision of the future that’s anchored in a shared understanding of the past.  #mbi_colleague

Civics education is critical to the revitalization of democracy. To be successful, however, it can't cross the line into political advocacy. #mbi_context

A documentary showing how everyday Americans are finding their own solutions to bridging the partisan divide, inviting others to pledge to do so too. #mbi_colleague

New study provides insights into how intergroup contact should be structured to promote support for social change #mbi_fundamentals

At noon CST on Jan 20, 2022 Millions of Conversations will convene to discuss the state of American democracy a year after the storming of the capitol. #mbi_fundamentals

If you are looking for another mega-worry that goes to the core of social sustainability, this is an excellent candidate. #mbi_context

Saving democracy isn't the job of politicians; it is the job of everyone who wants a secure and prosperous future. The time has come to stop complaining and start acting. #mbi_fundamentals

A look at strategies for fighting racism that seeme more promising than the current generation of diversity training programs. #mbi_context

Reflections on the many dangers of being absolutely, positively sure that you are right and they are wrong. #mbi_context

We now have a list of 28 things that can be done to reverse or prevent escalation, but one sums up them all: respect. #mbi_fundamentals

A look at the political risks for Democrats in their support for aggressive antiracism and gender equity programs. #mbi_context

Much of our divisiveness is driven by the perceived imperatives of "mobilize the base" politics. Here is an important challenge to the validity of this view. #mbi_context

While there are many things driving destructive escalation and polarization, there are also many things that can be done to reverse them. #mbi_fundamentals

A window into one manifestation of what we call the Bad-Faith Actor problem -- people who try to profit by promoting division and dysfunction. #mbi_context

We tend to assume that it is their choices and their behavior, that is causing our own problems. It isn't. It is almost always US TOO! #mbi_cci

"A look at how political biases have distorted psychological research in ways that have underestimated the level of left-wing support for authoritarians.
#mbi_context "

A discussion of the dangers of over-simplification and what can be done to better understand the complexity of a conflict before you choose a course of action.

A surprising and encouraging report indicating that Hispanic Americans may no longer be disproportionately disadvantaged in terms of criminal justice. #mbi_context

The war on terror is no longer what it was in the years following 9/11. It has morphed into a new kind of warfare with profound implications. #mbi_context