Discussing Politics Without Strangling Each Other

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Nothing is more chaotic than a discussion about politics. You could be enjoying a quiet afternoon with friends, and within a few minutes, everyone is shouting and arguing with each other. All it took was a comment about the current party in power, the opposition, or the future regulations to come. People you thought were decent and caring change under your very eyes. How could they have voted for that candidate, you think. How can they be my friends and support something that is miles apart from my view of the world? 

Most people are happy to disagree on most things in life. However, nothing can be more devastating as disagreements in politics. For a field that is designed to bring organization and meaning to our society, it’s almost funny to see how much chaos politics can create between friends and relatives. But, there’s a serious concern about it: Can you talk about politics with people who don’t share your opinion without engaging in a heated and belligerent debate? The answer is yes. Although it’s not an easy task, different views can coexist in peace. Here’s how to survive the next discussion and stay friends: 

It’s more than just your opinion

Political debates always create a polarised climate. However, what a lot of people fail to understand is that there’s a lot more than just an opinion at stake. Views endorsed by party candidates can dramatically affect people’s lives. A candidate who believes in reducing immigration can make it hard for immigrants who have made the country their home to secure future employment, health care or even habitation in a hyper-nationalistic climate, for instance. Discussing your views with someone whose vote could potentially put your loved ones at risk can be a stressful experience. According to this article from Bradley University about counselors, election stress can have a crippling effect on people’s lives. There is no miracle solution. However, it can be helpful to consider the human consequences of your political views. Supporting a hostile climate for others can cause irreparable rifts in your social relationships. 

Many forget the person behind the opinion

Most things in life present a problem that people need to overcome. Even something as simple as baking bread is the result of practical problem-solving skills. As such, it makes sense to think of politics in terms of solving society’s problems. With a variety of minds committed to making the world a better place – either for the greater good or for themselves – it’s fair to say that there is no single solution. We are all problem solvers, and therefore, we are likely to find more than one approach to tackle the same issue. Consequently, it’s understandable that the world of politics presents such a variety of opinions, aka solutions. However, in the heat of the debate, it’s easy to forget the person behind the opinion. As you engage in discussion, you need to treat everyone with respect. Self-awareness and self-actualisation is the realization that you matter. And when you apply that approach to yourself, you also learn to allow others to matter as well and be valued as individuals, regardless of the solution they choose to endorse.

Don’t judge people by their opinions

One of the most common issues when it comes to discussing your political views is that we tend to take everyone at opinion’s value. Unfortunately, as we all have our views of what’s a good opinion or a bad – based on personal preferences – people who vote differently are immediately perceived as ‘bad’. Not cutting people off by their vote is a tricky mental exercise. While it doesn’t mean changing your views, taking the time to understand theirs can leave room for respect and appreciation in an otherwise heated debate. 

Accept that you can’t understand everyone

Why do you endorse such a terrible candidate?

Don’t you sometimes want to scream at friends or relatives for their narrow-minded views? You are not an isolated case. We all do from time to time. Even when we try to ask for an explanation, we don’t always understand their reasoning. But, it doesn’t make sense, you say. And you would be right. You have to walk a mile in someone’s shoes to know all the whys and ifs that go into consideration. But because we’re all different, with different backgrounds, stories, and needs, we can’t always follow our friends and relatives’ thoughts process. Yet, just because you don’t understand their reasons, doesn’t make conversation impossible. 

In conclusion, politics should not be synonymous with a closed off fight. Sure, people can think differently and endorse opposite views. But the biggest challenge when it comes to a debate is to accept that others may not think like you, and you’ll have to accept that.