Breakfast and Plenary Session: How 'Good Conflict' Can Save Our Democracy From Toxic Polarization

Toxic polarization is contributing to falling engagement across civic life, with a contentious election ratcheting up tensions even further. How did we get here? And how do we get out with American democracy intact? In our closing plenary session, Amanda Ripley, author of “High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out” will help us understand how we can disrupt the cycles that push us apart and instead engage in “good conflict” that connects us across divides and catalyzes solutions for the future. Following Amanda’s remarks, Wendy Feliz from the Arthur M. Blank Foundation will lead a discussion on repairing our fractured civic life with Layla Zaidane and Ali Noorani. Together, they will help us make sense of these tumultuous times and share strategies for how funders can invest in rebuilding trust in democracy, renewing civic engagement, and building a shared commitment, across our differences, to an inclusive and thriving multiracial democracy.