Every local government practitioner needs to understand the importance of cultural tribalism in their own communities. To ignore it is to witness the negative outcomes of extreme populism and the tearing of the national fabric. It becomes visible at the local level and requires a true commitment to an open dialog focused on the things that binds us rather than those things that divide us. Outreach efforts have to be more than what “may” be perceived as a paterlistic process generated by the meritocracy of city hall. Governmental jargon, professional procedures, and even the primary notion of the rule of law, may actually serve to further separate the governed from their government. Although professional mastery of the methods of outreach and communications are clearly required, true open dialog has to be based on a believable commitment to listening and inclusion. Given the complexities of a melting pot society, communication based upon compromise is of a necessity. A deeper understanding of human behavior as noted by Daniel Goleman’s 2007 text, “Social Intelligence,” may well provide some guidance. Whatever the source material or method, true problem solving will get down to our willingness and ability to truly understand one another and commit to the notion of compromise for the common good.
Steve Harding
via Maybe Trump knows his base better than we do – The Washington Post
The Scholarly Participant 
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