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Constructive Conflict Guide >
Civic Knowledge and Skills That We All Need to Constructively Handle Intractable Conflict >
Reconciliation
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BI Article
Establishment of Personal Relationships
While strong personal relationships alone cannot bring about conflict resolution, they can help to transform the conflict and make it easier to resolve. Relationships between the opposing sides help to build trust, improve communication, and increase tolerance.
Colleague Activities
Braver Angels Aims to Mend Our Polarized Relationships
Colleague Activities
6 Steps for Mending a Politically Strained Relationship
1/5 of all Americans say politics has harmed a close relationship. If you are one of them, here are six steps you can take to repair the damage and restore the friendship.
News and Opinion
How to have political disagreements without ruining relationships
BI Article
Confronting NIMBYs by Polling Community Interests
A reflection of a Boulder City Councilman about broadening citizens' notions of "their backyards."
BI Article
Daniel Stid: Four Ways To Reframe Democracy in America
How loneliness and isolation are contributing to our political malaise--and four ideas for changing that.
BI Article
Peter Coleman on The Way Out of Polarization and Intractability
Polarization is destroying our relationships with friends and family. Peter Coleman has a way to fix that -- and possibly fix our society as well.
Subsidiary Folders
Rediscovering the Golden Rule
"The Golden Rule" -- "Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You" is a fundamental tenent of all the World's main religions. We should keep that in mind when we engage in conflict.
Subsidiary Folders
Tolerance
Tolerance is the appreciation of diversity and the ability to live and let others live the way they want to. It is the ability to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards those whose opinions, practices, religion, nationality, etc. differ from one's own. It involves showing respect for the essential humanity in every person.
Subsidiary Folders
Respect
Respect is the recognition and regard for the inherent worth, rights, feelings, and perspectives of others. It involves treating people with dignity, courtesy, and fairness, acknowledging their autonomy and value, even when there are differences of opinion, status, or background. It is, perhaps, the strongest conflict resolution tool there is. Respect costs little to give, and often generates large rewards.
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Destroys Relationships
Even small scale intractable conflicts can destroy once harmonious and rewarding relationships.
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Builds Mutually Supportive Integrative Relationships
The primary reason modern civilization is possible is because humans have become very adept at working together for the common good. If we lose this ability, we are losing much more than friendships -- we will be losing everything we depend on to survive.
Colleague Activities
Calling In and Calling Out
"Calling In" prioritizes relationship-building over shaming. . It creates a compassionate space for the person to reflect, hold themselves accountable and grow instead of lashing back.
Colleague Activities
Fighting back against authoritarianism
Bridging organizations that bring together people with conflicting opinions should also partner with civic organizations in their area to forge stronger relationships between groups.
Colleague Activities
The Antidote to Authoritarianism
Ordinary people, organized effectively, have the power to drive social change upwards to create the conditions for justice, equity, and freedom. 27 leaders reflect on how to do this now.
Colleague Activities
The Relationships Project
Connecting the dots between organizations focused on relationship-building, the Relationship Project is helping to develop the infrastructure to support a thriving field of relationship-centered practice.
Colleague Activities
Join or Die
Chip Hauss revisits the critical concept of bridging social capital, and reflects both on its widespread loss and its importance to both peace and democracy worldwide.
News and Opinion
Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Interactions
BI Article
Palma Strand: A Path Out of Polarization: The Strengthening Democracy Challenge and the Civity Storytelling Intervention
Civity is all about forming relationships across difference. It's the "secret sauce" of successful communities and organizations. And better yet, everyone can do it!