Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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The Better Arguments Project

Focusing on the challenge of sustaining strong citizenship in America and coherent national identity in an age of demographic flux and severe inequality.

The Better Arguments Project is a national civic initiative created to help bridge divides – not by papering over those divides but by helping Americans have Better Arguments. In this sense, arguments don’t have to drive us apart. Better Arguments can bring us together. Click here to learn more about our approach.

Interested in getting involved? Check out our Join Us page for ways you can engage with the Better Arguments Project.

 

Too Many Thanksgiving or Election Day Disagreements? Here’s How to Have a Better Argument

America is ideologically split, and if the animosity over the 2020 election results is any indication, we may be fast losing the ability to bridge the divide.

This Expert Says You Shouldn’t Keep Politics out of the Office—Here’s the Right Way to Talk about it at Work

Leaders at work should guide their employees to have elevated conversations about politics, according to Hopper.

How to Talk Politics with Angry Loved Ones Who Disagree with You

Election Day may be over, but the anger and frustration that divide America politically continue to simmer.

Teaching students how to argue begins with self-reflection

Supporting students as they learn to productively engage and converse in today’s political environment begins with the teachers. Learn more from our partner Laura Tavares at Facing History and Ourselves during her interview with Education Dive.

If We Are Going To Argue, Let’s Do It Right

The key to addressing this kind of division is to have better — not fewer — arguments. After all, argument is fundamental to any democracy, and limiting arguments can suppress needed deliberation. This is the premise of the Better Arguments Project, a collaboration among the Aspen Institute, Facing History and Ourselves, and Allstate.

How To Have Constructive Conversations At A Divisive Thanksgiving

NPR’s Michel Martin talks with author Eric Liu, psychologist Vaile Wright and columnist Steven Petrow about constructive conversations at Thanksgiving and how to repair America’s social fabric.

The Better Arguments Project hosts event in Denver

Participants had the opportunity to constructively engage in contentious topics, including economic growth, technological advancement, inequity, gentrification and housing displacement, as they relate to metro Denver’s booming tech industry.

Better Arguments: Tech-Boom Tensions in Denver

On June 13, at Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colorado, the Better Arguments Project is piloted “Better Arguments: Tech Boom Tension in Denver.” The program included remarks by local and national leaders, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Better Arguments: Longtimers & Newcomers in Detroit

Check out this piece about our first pilot community event in Detroit! We partnered with the Urban Consulate to host a pilot event in Detroit, Michigan to address tensions between longtime Detroiters and newcomers as the city adapts to a time of rapid change and growth.

Eric Liu on The Morning Show

On Wisconsin Public Radio, Eric Liu gives tips on how to be less stupid at arguing in the age of Twitter and extreme political polarization.

Five Features of Better Arguments

Eric Liu studied how to facilitate more constructive arguments among Americans. These are his conclusions.