Today, we live in a country deeply divided by politics, race, and, increasingly, social class. Neither political party has been able to command a durable majority. Partisan actors are polarized and deeply dislike—sometimes detest—those on the opposite side of the aisle. Many people do not want their children to marry someone from the opposing political party. In many ways, it feels as though the country is being torn apart.
Paradoxically, at the same time, public opinion polling shows that rank-and-file voters have broad areas of agreement on policies and values. For instance, Americans overwhelmingly agree that equality of opportunity is better than equal outcomes; that America is not perfect, but it is good to be proud of the country; that immigration is beneficial, but border security is critical; and that we need more and better policing rather than an effort to defund law enforcement.
Is it possible to imagine a different politics, one that draws on the best ideas of those who identify as liberals and those who identify as conservatives to build a broad coalition of support?
