I think the worst way to have a political discussion is to discuss the actions or proposed actions of any political actor. Politics exists because we need collective solutions to particular problems, so I think the best way to approach politics is discuss a particular problem that needs a political solution. As always, best to discuss the nature of the problem in detail before thinking about an solutions and gentling re-routing any solution-type discussion back to the problem. Solutions need discussion of consequences first and foremost. Pushing discussions towards those in the best way to get any value at all out of your time. We recently had referendums on legalising dope and euthanasia and I thought some of the material presented for discussion by electoral commission was exemplary.
Inevitably though, peoples judgement on the pros and cons of various consequences is going to be based on their values. I’ve seen some evidence that this might be partly genetic. I seriously doubt any discussion will change a persons internal value system (what they would instinctively judge good/bad before any reason cut in), but discussion can/will shape how a law is framed. Ie, don’t even bother trying to change someone from Right to Left or vice-versa, focus on effective solution for a problem that doesn’t offend their values or yours instead.
It would be a pretty quiet house here if we couldn’t discuss politics. I should admit that I am in part of world where I think political tribal divisions are still not too bad—in a small country, it is hard for media to survive at all, so outlets do not want to alienate audience by showing any obvious political bias. Global media however is having an unwelcome influence.
I think the worst way to have a political discussion is to discuss the actions or proposed actions of any political actor. Politics exists because we need collective solutions to particular problems, so I think the best way to approach politics is discuss a particular problem that needs a political solution. As always, best to discuss the nature of the problem in detail before thinking about an solutions and gentling re-routing any solution-type discussion back to the problem. Solutions need discussion of consequences first and foremost. Pushing discussions towards those in the best way to get any value at all out of your time. We recently had referendums on legalising dope and euthanasia and I thought some of the material presented for discussion by electoral commission was exemplary.
Inevitably though, peoples judgement on the pros and cons of various consequences is going to be based on their values. I’ve seen some evidence that this might be partly genetic. I seriously doubt any discussion will change a persons internal value system (what they would instinctively judge good/bad before any reason cut in), but discussion can/will shape how a law is framed. Ie, don’t even bother trying to change someone from Right to Left or vice-versa, focus on effective solution for a problem that doesn’t offend their values or yours instead.
It would be a pretty quiet house here if we couldn’t discuss politics. I should admit that I am in part of world where I think political tribal divisions are still not too bad—in a small country, it is hard for media to survive at all, so outlets do not want to alienate audience by showing any obvious political bias. Global media however is having an unwelcome influence.