Giridharadas points out that attempting to change things by changing people’s minds is a relatively new concept in human history and that persuasion itself is essential to functioning democracy. Do you believe that people can still change their minds about important things? If not, why not?
TOPIC Is Persuasion Still Possible?
What role do you think the work of persuasion can or should play in our civic life? Can representative government at a state or national level be sustained in a healthy way if one side writes off another? Giridharadas describes himself as a “small e” evangelical when it comes to progress. How would you describe your own efforts to evangelize for issues you care about? How does your enthusiasm or resignation about engaging others change your approach to advocacy, organizing, or relationship-building? How many of us have had the experience of scrolling on social media or reading the comments on an article and saying to ourselves, “Imagine thinking that!”
VIDEO Link: bit.ly/persusasioninterview
about another person’s post? The desire to set ourselves apart from those we disagree with is understandable, but can also erase our own journey of transformation. Are there changes in your beliefs, family, friendships, or congregations that speak to the power of persuasion and the potential for change over time?
Length: 54 minutes, 21 seconds
What aspects of those stories stand out to you? Are there consistencies that speak to how we might continue to be about the business of persuasion today? In his book, Giridharadas interviews progressive leaders and activists about how to turn institutions in the right direction. He shares that while many take a “screw establishment power” perspective, many of those he interviewed speak to the need for an “inside/outside game,” having one foot in the movement and one in the halls of power. It is easy to be one or the other, but can you do both? In this conversation, Giridharadas posits that the rootedness of an opinion is
SPECIAL GUEST Anand Giridharadas American journalist and political pundit, Giridharadas is a former columnist for The New York Times. He is the author of four books, including The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy.
in conversation with Dr. Heath W. Carter
often the biggest issue, and only 20% on either side are so deeply rooted that they won’t budge. The 60% in the middle can shift, and are most likely to have their minds changed by relationships than by data. If we think about people we disagree with as complex, how does this change our approach to engaging them? How do we balance progress with the potential harm of engaging people who believe differently from us? If not everyone is suited or called to the work of persuasion, is it possible to allow others to take on that work without penalizing them for perceived compromise? Proximity to people with different ideas is hard, but people can be changed through those encounters. Giridharadas suggests talking less and focusing more on shared doing. What are topics or projects that can create space to stand firm in our truth while reaching out? ADDITIONAL READING RECOMMENDATIONS The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy By Anand Giridharadas Why We're Polarized By Ezra Klein