Applying conflict resolution insights to the hyper-polarized, society-wide conflicts threatening liberal democracies

Through this essay and its accompanying commentaries, we offer a focal point for a wide-ranging dialogue about how those with conflict-related expertise might do more to contribute to efforts to slow, and ultimately reverse, the hyper-polarization spiral now threatening so many developed democracies. In addition to exploring ways for promoting the more widespread utilization of the conflict field's existing insights and practices, we consider strategies for better dealing with the enormous scale and complexity of contemporary society-wide conflict, and for countering powerful, badfaith actors who, for personal profit, are deliberately amplifying our deep divisions. We propose a "massively parallel" approach that seeks to cultivate large numbers of independent but mutually reinforcing projects each addressing particular aspects of hyper-polarization in specific contexts.