Braver Angels

Braver Angels is a national citizens' movement to reduce political polarization in the United States by bringing liberals and conservatives together to understand each other beyond stereotypes, forming red/blue community alliances, teaching practical skills for communicating across political differences, and making a strong public argument for depolarization.

We've designed several workshops that successfully help red and blue Americans rebuild trust and better understand each others' perspectives. Our signature "Red/Blue Workshop" brings together 7 conservative-leaning participants and 7 progressive-leaning participants for moderated activities and discussions that clarify disagreements, reduce stereotyped thinking, and begin building the relationships needed to find common ground. Our "Skills Workshop" teaches practical skills for having better conversations with friends and family members with whom you have strong political disagreements.

To further the work of depolarization nationwide, we're building a grassroots movement of local "red-blue alliances" that work together to continue the trust-building and mutual understanding begun in the workshops, reach out to others in the community with the Better Angels message, and look for ways to work together on issues connected to polarization. Each year, we bring together local red and blue leaders from across the country to democratically determine our national priorities for the coming year – and build a national alliance that can influence the direction of our nation.

We're also bringing together leading scholars, writers, and ordinary citizens from across the political spectrum to model the “Braver Angels Way” of public debate: constructively engaging with opposing points of view rather than name-calling and partisan posturing. Our emerging "Braver Angels Media Network" is for anyone who's sick and tired of partisan talking points – and wants to make their voice heard.