Rehearsing Civility: Bridgebuilding in Polarized America

Emily B. Campbell

doi:10.2298/FID2501119C

Authors

Emily B. Campbell Department of Sociology, Rhode Island College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/FID2501119C

Keywords:

bridgebuilding, civility, civil sphere theory, contact theory, cultural sociology, democracy, polarization, political sociology

Abstract

Over the last decade, ever-increasing polarization has exacerbated political divisions threatening both the civil sphere and democracy itself. In the United States, concern over democracy’s future has led to the growth of self-described bridgebuilding organizations. Bridgebuilding brings people from across the political aisle together for dialogue with the aim of lessening polarization. This paper examines bridgebuilding through a detailed case study of one such organization. Drawing on observation, interviews, and participant surveys, the study describes the motivations and experiences of bridgebuilders. The paper finds that bridgebuilding allows participants to “rehearse civility” experiencing the civility and goodwill they crave in their own lives and desire for the broader society in a relatively safe and controlled setting. Rehearsing civility invites participants to invoke the civil— reaffirming social bonds, speaking to a broader sense of goodwill, in turn rehumanizing their political opponents. Though not without its limitations, the growth of bridgebuilding highlights a deep desire for civility and the experiential and affective pleasure it allows. Civility as mutual regard and as bonds to democratic institutions is considered.

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