Hoover InstitutionStanford University
Can Deliberative Discussions Heal Political Divides?

Published December 13, 2022

A national experiment called “American in One Room” brought together more than 500 randomly selected voters from around the country for a weekend of guided deliberation. Those who participated were more likely in the short run to moderate their political attitudes and more likely in the long run to engage in civil society.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think people ultimately went back to their old views after the study?
  2. Does this study show a way to reduce polarization permanently? What do you think?

Additional Resources:

  • Read “Is Deliberation an Antidote to Extreme Partisan Polarization? Reflections on ‘America in One Room,’” by James Fishkin, Alice Siu, Larry Diamond, and Norman Bradburn. Available here.
  • Watch “Morris Fiorina on Why Political Parties Have Polarized,” with Morris Fiorina. Available here.
  • Watch “Unstable Majorities,” with Morris Fiorina. Available here.

Cast

Valentin Bolotnyy

Valentin Bolotnyy

Related

Videos

Monetary Policy And The Shadow Open Market Committee Since The 1970s

Mickey Levy on his early career working with Alice Rivlin at the Congressional Budget Office and with Arthur Burns at AEI, as well as being part of the Shadow Open Markets Committee from its early days in the 1970s.

October 16, 2026

Videos

The Enduring Influence Of Thomas Sowell

From politics and economics to journalism and culture, leading voices reflect on how Thomas Sowell’s ideas shaped their thinking and continue to inspire new generations.

October 15, 2026

Articles

Why Europe Is Burning

[Subscription Required] Young Europeans are taking to the streets in Paris, Madrid, and Brussels. They say they want more investment in schools and housing. They should be protesting a system rigged for their grandparents.

October 12, 2026