Our political situation looks dire. In December 2025, Pew Research reported that “Just 17% of Americans now say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right. The current measure is one of the lowest” in nearly seven decades. In April 2026, Gallup reported that disapproval of Congress had risen to a record high of 86 percent.
A podcast between Heather Cox Richardson and Scott Galloway touched my imagination concerning how conversations among neighbors can improve political situations. A century ago, as historian HCR reminds us, an effective political response to unprecedented wealth, poverty, and inequality emerged from the grassroots, not from national leaders — from neighbors talking informally on front porches, lunch counters, coffee shops, barbershops, town halls, and houses of worship. Numerous popular reforms percolated upward, transforming the Gilded Age into the Progressive Era. Conversations can be especially powerful when they are planned and organized in advance.
How can we begin to talk to more of our neighbors about political topics? If initiating such conversations feels daunting, perhaps those feelings are further proof of the need to rebuild our communities. An incremental approach might work. Ask a few neighbors, “Can we talk?” Then explore mutual interests. Include how they see the prospects for improving our political situation. Other mutual interests can also help us to rebuild our communities. Select neighbors who are open to discussion about political topics. They might be independent voters or dissatisfied with two-party politics. Although agreement on political matters is not always possible, we can hear conflicting views, acknowledge them, and treat them with respect, even if we strongly disagree. Having the humility to admit our own uncertainty and limited knowledge about a topic can encourage others to acknowledge theirs.
Groups could employ the World Café's procedures and resources. Initiate an impromptu Zoom discussion. Or start up a regular conversation group at a local coffee shop, restaurant, senior citizen center, Kiwanis, or Rotary club.
As a Professor of Communication for more than four decades, I faced the challenge of getting about 20 students to speak candidly to each other about controversial topics, like genocides, lynchings, anti-semitism, sexual assaults, and anti-gay homicides. My teaching forced me to examine interactions closely to determine what worked. During discussions, we can agree to disagree, acknowledge our blind spots, and ask questions. I experimented with strategies to reduce mishaps. For example, I had students articulate their own ground rules, which they monitored and upheld. Sitting in a circle enhanced collaboration, consensus, and civility. Typically, trust would build such that students shared personal stories about what it was like to live on welfare, to learn with a disability, to counteract racism, or to have a transgender sibling. Personal experiences touched hearts and moved minds.
Since my retirement, I have participated in a weekly Zoom discussion with more than a dozen neighbors for over a year, whose insights and opinions have helped me understand complex issues, even when we express misgivings. Disagreement is a good thing if it makes us think. On occasion, we have arranged Zoom group conversations with a guest: an advocate for Medicaid recipients, an elected state representative, and a Congressional representative. Participation in this Zoom group has enriched my life, strengthened my network of friends, and energized our involvement in political life.
If you decide to initiate a discussion group, set some ground rules. For example, use “I” statements like “I am inclined to think.” Listen attentively, even if you feel tempted to interrupt. Collaborate on action items, such as a phone call or a letter-writing campaign to elected officials. They count those calls and letters. Some even reply. If warranted, express “No confidence.”
Generate your own topics as a group by asking, “What topics in current political life engage our interests?” Then, set up priorities among the topics.
To be sure, communication with our neighbors alone will not resolve our national problems. A wide variety of teamwork is vital for problems of such magnitude. However, communication can help focus our attention, generate new frameworks for our problems, and encourage multi-pronged, incremental approaches to address deep and abiding problems.
True, some neighbors are not open to discussion or persuasion. They will not come to the door, much less gather on a porch to talk politics. Some US citizens relish polarization or reject democracy.
It is crucial that the rest of us endeavor to bridge our differences, because our democracy is at stake. Our government was founded “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” We have a lot to talk about. Let’s reclaim our democratic republic and prepare to vote.
Lester C. Olson is a Professor Emeritus of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh.
