Banning Politics from the Thanksgiving Table: Thoughts on Political Fundamentalism
Political discourse today is too often derailed by extreme commitments to ideology. This is evident across the political spectrum and on just about every issue. Where ideological fundamentalism grows, the democratic virtues inevitably diminish. Intellectual rigor is replaced with dogma, persuasion is given up for activism, and arguments are reduced to mere apologetics and its accompanying arsenal of mimicked sound bytes. Fundamentalism breeds the democratically dangerous thought that not only am I absolutely right, but that anyone who disagrees with me is probably evil. Fundamentalists distrust any sources of knowledge that don’t already conform to their perspective. As a result, opposing perspectives are never considered and the claims of fellow fundamentalists are never questioned. What’s worse: the more extreme and loud the claim, the more it is applauded and celebrated by others in the fold.
It is a form of reductionism. And when brought into the political arena it can swiftly devolve into a form of tyranny: “it’s our way OR ELSE!”
I’ve long believed that a source of such political fundamentalism is the all-too-abstract national political landscape. And a remedy for it is found in the practice and elevation of local democracy. Practicing local democracy is humanizing and moderating.
Democracy is reared in the most mundane places and at the youngest of ages: learning how to socialize and play nice with others at the playground, learning how to share with siblings in the living room, and learning how to speak civilly with the family at the dinner table. You may still dislike someone, claim your rights, or disagree with the other person, but your passions are tempered by the fact that they are your neighbors, your brothers, and your sisters.
It is simply a shame that at the time of year when families come together for food, drink, and fellowship, the broken state of our national political discourse means that many families avoid precisely what coming together around a table from the time we were babies was meant to promote.
This Thanksgiving, make your country better by practicing local democracy at the dinner table. Practice putting the human first and the issue second. Instead of avoiding political discussion, transform it. Our kids are watching…
3 Comments
Thank you for such an insightful reflection on political polarization. Furthermore, I am humbled by your command of language and expression.
All is well that ends well. Your premise and ideology is to be commended.
I do wish the Republicans in Congress would practice this in Washington
doing their work. This is a good idea for the Thanksgiving dinner table.
I am afraid it can become an avoidance technique and cover up their true
feelings and strong political party ideological differences. In other words,
an act of civility and good manners. It will depend on the people and the
circumstances. And especially so, if someone has had a little too much
to drink (alcohol) . It is the only way to get any legislation passed in Congress. There must be needed compromise.
Great post and very well said. I think the local drilling issue is problematic for precisely this reason — it brings the national and abstract energy policy question into the equation with all the fundamentalisms that go with it.