The dangerous impacts of societal polarisation.

In today's ever-changing, fast paced world, it seems that polarisation can be seen across so many areas of society. Environments are created in which a strong preference for being ‘right’ is held more highly than relationships and community. Just like the physical North and South Poles, polarised positions can be cold, dark places. They can also be very hazardous. Lines of conflict are inevitable as positions are quickly adopted over what, at times, are merely different perspectives, viewpoints or preferences.

We could be forgiven for imagining that polarisation only happens when strong ideology is at play. Ideologies often influence political, economic, and social systems; perhaps democracy, socialism or capitalism come to mind. Just as the North and South Poles exert a magnetic force which affects compasses and navigation systems, polarisation exerts a strong force wherever it exists. Opinions and beliefs are pulled to extremes, creating environments where listening, attempts to understand and a willingness to embrace other perspectives are often very limited, or completely absent!

Leaving aside the horrors of global conflict and the uneven spread of wealth, food and other resources around the globe, the effects of polarisation are also much closer to home. When other people’s opinions don’t align with our own ‘positions’, compromise becomes less attractive, and dialogue appears futile. This can be seen within communities, families and relationships. Entrenched in unexamined viewpoints and with a context shaped across a lifetime, it’s little wonder that where there’s little or no appetite for learning about ourselves, we have increasing fragmentation of communities, breakdown of families and relationships, and what seems like a downward spiral in the mental health and wellbeing of increasing numbers of people.  

"Human beings are perhaps never more frightening as when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right."  Laurens van der Post

So, how do we bridge what might seem to be huge gaps between the poles? Like so much of our lives, change begins in the mirror. If we’re not prepared to examine and notice the beliefs we have, the opinions we hold and the dug in positions we cling on to, there is little prospect of much changing. Going through that process might also reveal some of the reasons we hold these positions. Acknowledging where you’ve been hurt by others can be an important step in releasing yourself from pain, stress, and possibly anger. This isn’t easy, but then neither is living with the effects on relationships, families and communities. But it’s unlikely just to be ‘them’ who have contributed to breakdowns and isolation. Acknowledging our part requires us first to accept that we may have been a contributor – at some level at least - in reaching where we are today. Without acknowledging our responsibility, we are guaranteed to leave ourselves and others in the frozen wastelands rather than in flourishing relationships, families, and communities.

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