The power of cooperation in bridging political divides

The podcast episode discusses the transformative impact of cooperative experiences in bridging political divides. It highlights an intervention called the quiz game, where Republicans and Democrats are paired up to work together towards common goals. The game eases participants into collaboration by starting with non-controversial questions and then gradually introducing politically charged questions. The results of several randomized control trials show that playing the game leads to reduced negative attitudes towards the other political party, even four months later. The game promotes mutual respect and trust, fostering an environment where people are more open to seeking shared information and engaging in problem-solving conversations. The episode emphasizes the importance of establishing basic trust and respect as a foundation for solving political polarization. Additionally, the episode explores the potential of scaling up the game to address polarization on a wider scale through various institutional channels and workplaces.