What if the increasing polarization in the United States is not just a result of anger or partisanship, but due to a decline in the ability to self-govern? This question was discussed on a recent episode featuring Nic Dunn and Sabrina Schaeffer, Vice President of Public Affairs at the R Street Institute.
The conversation focused on how skills such as debate, discourse, and civic engagement are crucial for maintaining a constitutional republic. Schaeffer drew from both historical context and current research to highlight the decline of institutions that once fostered what she called “muscle memory” for respectful disagreement.
According to Schaeffer, “It’s a call to see disagreement not as a threat, but as a civic virtue worth reclaiming.” The discussion suggested that as opportunities for practicing civil discourse have diminished, Americans may have lost essential skills needed for effective self-government.
A related article published by National Review also examines this issue, noting that many institutions which once provided routine opportunities for civic engagement and respectful debate have weakened over time. The article can be found at https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/06/self-government-takes-practice-weve-stopped-rehearsing/.
The episode concluded with suggestions on how these foundational practices might be restored to help bridge divides and strengthen democratic participation.
