Abstract

In recent decades, we have witnessed increasing polarization, divisiveness and hostility in political discourse. This paper outlines a relational-dialectical approach to constructive political discourse. Instead of treating political discourse as competition over clashing positions, the relational approach seeks ways to bridge political differences through dialectical engagement. The process is organized around three principles: (a) the focus on needs and problems rather than political positions, (b) deep sociality, and (c) the dialectical construction of novel forms of thinking through the integration of opposites. I illustrate these principles in the context of political discourse related to gun violence in the United States.

摘要

近几十年来，我们目睹了政治话语中越来越多的两极分化、分裂和敌意。本文概述了建设性政治话语的关系辩证法。关系方法不是将政治话语视为对冲突立场的竞争，而是寻求通过辩证参与来弥合政治差异的方法。该过程围绕三个原则组织：（a）关注需求和问题而不是政治立场，（b）深度社会性，以及（c）通过对立面的整合辩证地构建新的思维形式. 我在与美国枪支暴力相关的政治话语背景下阐述了这些原则。