90% of Americans Share Core Values Despite Political Divides
- Research shows that both major political parties in the U.S. share underlying values despite their disagreements.
- Political hostilities often lead to extreme behavior from both sides, including bullying and derogatory language.
- Viewing political opponents as individuals rather than enemies can foster compassion and reduce toxic polarization.
Political discourse is often marked by hostility, creating an illusion that opponents are fundamentally different. According to former Obama speechwriter Terry Szuplat, a survey indicates that around 90% of both Republicans and Democrats hold similar core values such as personal responsibility, compassion, and respect. Despite these shared values, political rhetoric often exacerbates divisions, leading to expressions of anger from both sides. This anger manifests particularly in extreme behaviors, such as intimidation from the left against opponents of figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, and derogatory terms used by Trump supporters against those who do not support him. Understanding the emotional turmoil underlying these hostile interactions might encourage a more compassionate perspective. Recognizing our political foes as fellow citizens, rather than enemies, could help dispel the toxic polarization that poses significant threats to democratic integrity and can influence voting behaviors and public policy discussions.