NHBR Column on The Power of the Exhausted Majority

A 2018 report “Hidden Tribes: A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape” describes seven segments of Americans (that they call “tribes”) distinguished by differences in beliefs and attitudes. They identified a large segment of the population, “who believe that Americans have more in common than that which divides them. . . . They believe that compromise is necessary in politics, as in other parts of life, and want to see the country come together and solve its problems.” The authors call this group the “Exhausted Majority.”   

The authors write: “To bring Americans back together, we need to focus first on those things that we share, and this starts with our identity as Americans. This can create the space for sometimes difficult but necessary conversations.”  

I don’t think the Hidden Tribes authors are calling for middle-of-the-road politics as much as suggesting that people spend time engaging with people outside their tribe in meaningful ways. “America’s Exhausted Majority wants to see the opposing tribes move beyond constant conflict,” the authors insist. 

No, we don’t need to always agree – that is unrealistic. But we can disagree better, including conversations and really listening to those with different perspectives. My hope is that the  Exhausted Majority can rise and demonstrate ways to lead our country better.  

See the full New Hampshire Business Review column at https://read.nhbr.com/nh-business-review#2024/03/22/?article=4209972