We all know how divided our world feels today. Political polarization makes real conversation harder, and too often, people stop listening altogether.
That’s why the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs are partnering on survey research and programming to understand and reduce political polarization in Louisiana, while promoting dialogue and civic thought.
The nonpartisan Common Ground Project explores what it means to communicate in polarized world and provide LSU students and Louisiana citizens with information and opportunities for engaging constructively across ideological lines and viewpoints.
The Common Ground Project consists of the following initiatives:Â
- Pizza & Public Affairs
- Civic Sips
- The Common Ground Survey
In recent years, Louisiana has seen increased ideological clustering, especially between urban and rural communities, alongside growing distrust in the media, government and even neighbors with different views. These trends have undermined the foundations of democratic problem-solving.
The Reilly Center and PAR hope the Common Ground Project will engage communities to identify shared values, rebuild trust across divides and respond to the structural and cultural drivers of division in Louisiana’s civic landscape.
Check out Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s video about the Common Ground Project:
Read PAR and the Reilly Center’s guest column about the Common Ground Project:
PIZZA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
March 19 | 12-1 p.m. | Holliday Forum, Journalism Building LSU
This monthly on-campus discussion series for LSU students features a guest speaker (such as a public official, civic leader, public affairs practitioner or expert on polarization) who, in a casual dialogue format over free pizza, will share with students how they have achieved successful policy or program outcomes by building coalitions and communicating in a way that bridges division.
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The upcoming Pizza & Public Affairs event will feature Syracuse University political science professor Johanna Dunaway. Dunaway serves as the research director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism & Citizenship in Washington, D.C. Her research examines the relationship between news media and politics, political communication and the impact of changing communication technologies on media effects, public opinion and political behavior.
Check out moments from our past Pizza & Public Affairs events with former Gov. John Bel Edwards, Liz Mangham, Clay Young and Rep. Jack McFarland.
CIVIC SIPS SERIESÂ
April 9 | 6-8 p.m. | The Executive Center
This discussion series is designed to bring people together in a relaxed setting to share a drink and meaningful conversation. At Civic Sips, we’ll talk about what matters: civic responsibility, media literacy, state policy, and most importantly, how we can connect across differences in a polarized world.
This Civic Sips will explore the importance of civic infrastructure—organizations, clubs and associations—and what the decline of community means for our democracy’s future.
Throughout the evening, we’ll watch excerpts from the movie “Join or Die,” based on the book “Bowling Alone” by political scientist Robert Putnam, whose research highlighted growing isolation in American society and how declining social capital may be fueling division and distrust in our democracy.
This Civic Sips will be discussion-based with clips from the movie shown for the purposes of guiding conversations. This is NOT a screening of the entire movie. Doors open at 6 p.m., programming begins at 6:30 p.m.
Join PAR and the Reilly Center as we explore how engaging in civic life can help bridge divides and combat polarization. Food and drink will be provided!
Thursday, April 9
6 – 8 p.m.
The Executive Center
250 South Foster Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Watch the movie trailer for more info!
With over 150 people in attendance between the last two events, Civic Sips has attracted a broad and diverse range of ages, races and professional backgrounds. Fighting polarization starts with open, honest conversations about our shared commonality, and Civic Sips is a place where people can come together and discuss how to diffuse today’s polarized debates.
THE COMMON GROUND SURVEY
This opinion poll of Louisiana residents, to be conducted by the Reilly Center’s Public Policy Research Lab, will focus on gauging measures of polarization across the state, compared to national trends, as well as areas of shared opinion or beliefs. The poll is expected to be released later this year.