Navigating affective polarization

Polarization pushes people into opposing (political, ethnic, social identity) groups. Affective polarization is used in political science to describe disliking and distrusting people from other political parties, a tendency that pushes people to the more extreme ends of the political spectrum, creating increased political tension – a phenomenon we are seeing in democracies worldwide.

Group belonging is key to our health and well-being, however, group polarization is linked to heightened risk of hostility towards and isolation from the other group, as well as conflict and violence. Given the complex, wicked problems facing the world – climate change, wars, criminality etc – polarization threatens the collaborative politics and generational-thinking in decision-making needed perhaps more today than ever.

The overarching rationale of implementing mindfulness in these different spheres of polarization (each with their own goal conflicts) is that less reactivity and more reflexivity in complex decisionmaking and relationship-building is key for peaceful and sustainable social transformation. This project therefore seeks to support political leadership that encourages bridge-building and reflection in challenging times, to tackle the many conflicting objectives for sustainable development from a position of seeking to contribute to the greater good.

Such high-level, complex, more altruistic than egotistic, decision-making requires commitment, integrity and resolve. We aim to support such leadership by working to implement evidence-based training in mindfulness meditation in different important political arenas. With support from UUniCORN, a pilot study, with a 6-session mindfulness program with Swedish Parliamentarians, inspired by Oxford University’s decade-long collaboration with the UK Parliament will be implemented as a proof of concept.