Cox and Lujan Grisham urge respectful disagreement amid polarization
Source: Ford School of Public Policy · All Ford School of Public Policy reports
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Summary
The Ford School event, part of University of Michigan Democracy Week, featured Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in conversation moderated by Lynette Clemetson. They discussed affective polarization, declining trust in institutions, the loneliness epidemic, and practical techniques for engaging across differences without abandoning values. The discussion drew from Cox's book "Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt" and his "Disagree Better" initiative, highlighting personal stories, cross-party friendships, support for local journalism, and federalism. Audience participation via QR code led to an AI-facilitated text dialogue tool called Sway for practicing disagreement. No formal Q&A, but emphasis on staying in the room and building relationships.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately portrayed current levels of division with well-sourced statistics while offering hopeful, actionable counterpoints through the governors' bipartisan rapport and humility about their own failings. Viewers receive a realistic picture of "affective polarization" but might miss deeper structural drivers such as algorithmic amplification, gerrymandering, or primary-election incentives that reward outrage. Framing leans toward individual and cultural solutions over policy fixes, potentially underplaying how elite rhetoric and media fragmentation sustain contempt. The cross-party format and rejection of false equivalence between disagreement and contempt provide balance; the event models the behavior it advocates. Overall high quality, though the optimistic tone may skew perception that personal efforts alone can reverse trends without institutional reform.
Key Moments
53% of Americans view fellow Americans as morally and ethically bad, highest among 25 countries surveyed by Pew
Exact figure from Pew Research Center's March 2026 report on international morality perceptions; U.S. was unique outlier.
Public trust in government, elections, universities and press at historic lows; loneliness at epidemic levels
Pew shows trust ~17-22% in 2025-2026; Gallup institutional confidence near record lows; 2023 Surgeon General advisory declared loneliness epidemic.
20 years ago ~6% of Americans lost a friend or family member to politics; now north of 25% and growing
Recent studies show 14% post-2016 election rising to 18% shortly after 2024 and 37% lifetime prevalence; exact 6%-to-25% trajectory not matched in one source but directionally accurate.
Asking 'tell me more about why you feel this way' de-escalates conflict and opens dialogue in most cases
Anecdotal technique promoted by Cox and depolarization researchers; no specific study cited in event, though aligns with active-listening literature.
High-school and college debate training reduces polarization; compromise is essential in constitutional government
Consistent with polarization research (e.g., Stanford studies on Disagree Better ads) and constitutional design emphasizing checks, balances and negotiation.
Notable Concerns
- Relationship-loss statistic presented as rising from 6% to over 25% lacks a single matching study but aligns with broader trend data from 14% post-2016 to 18-37% recently
- Heavy focus on personal agency may under-emphasize role of media platforms and political incentives
Sources Consulted
- In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad
- Public Trust in Government: 1958-2025
- Confidence in U.S. Institutions Remains Near All-Time Low
- Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory
- Political breakups: Interpersonal consequences of polarization
- Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt
- In divided times, Gov. Cox prescribes passionate disagreement, minus contempt