5 ways you can help heal the political divide

Hope and compassion are the antidote to our sick politics

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Politics is often framed as a battle between left and right, but beneath the surface two corrosive forces drive much of the division. On the left, envy can manifest as resentment toward success and lead to policies that punish rather than uplift. On the right, greed fuels policies that prioritise profit over people and deepen inequality. Both erode trust in liberal democracy, but fortunately there is an antidote — the politics of hope and compassion.

A hope and compassion deficit is behind democratic decline

Economic hardship, wars, and inaction on climate change, among a laundry list of other concerns, are causing people to become cynical and lose faith in our political institutions.

In the U.S. political discourse is poisoned by culture wars that pit citizens against each other. In the U.K. economic stagnation is fuelling discontent with Labour and the Conservatives. Across Europe, the far right is gaining ground by stoking fear of minorities.

In response to rampant inequality, the left often frames successful people as inherently exploitative. Yes, we should challenge systemic injustices. But it is wrong and counterproductive to…