Discussion: How Can Increasing Political Violence Be Countered?

About this event

Reddy and I (and sometimes Will) are hosting the following: But before that, the Zoom link will be posted shortly before the event. During the discussion, if you want to raise a point please raise your hand and you will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Once a speaker talks there will be a 5 minute period where anyone can follow up with a counter point, question, or continuing thought along the same line of thought (leave such comments to 1 minute). But do not begin a new train of thought unless you raise your hand. If you find yourself dominating the conversation please relax and give others a chance to join in. For this week, Roger had an idea for a topic which he has summarized below: There is a famous professor in the University of Chicago political science department named Professor Pape. He is very vocal lately on almost all the serious YouTube channels speaking about the "Escalation Trap" in Iran but also speaking recently about the burgeoning problem of "violent populism" in America. His explanation can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nojINsFuv1Y Shortly put, 30% of Republicans and 30% of Democrats support political violence against their opposition. But the other 70% of each party abhors political violence as a solution to American political disagreements. Therefore, there is a real space for an intentionally non-violent approach, even a great revival of solidarity in American society and politics. An approach which can come about by perhaps a movement of widespread dialogue. So, since 70% of Americans abhor political violence, what kind of grassroots movement can take advantage of this fertile ground as a counter movement to an ever more politically violent America? What would such a movement look like, and what social and political features would it have to have?