5 Ways Liberals Can Build More Bridges with Conservatives

We wrote the following piece after speaking with Luke Nathan Phillips about the state of depolarization and bridge-building endeavors. Luke has worked with Braver Angels since 2017, and served as their Publius Fellow for Public Discourse from 2021 to 2024. Learn more about his work at lukenathanphillips.com. 

We know that depolarization and bridge-building efforts often struggle to attract and engage conservative participants. Trump’s election creates an opportunity that everyone in this space should lean into. 

Why do these efforts tend to skew liberal? It comes down to a fundamental difference in how conservatives and liberals generally view bridge-building efforts — and their opponents. 

For one thing, conservatives can be wary of spaces that feel like they’re designed and run by liberals. Events held in Unitarian Universalist churches, public libraries, or other blue-coded spaces send subtle signals about who belongs there. Buzzwords like “civil discourse” and “peace-building” can feel like liberal jargon; they can be alienating to those who don’t share the same cultural or political values.

And let’s be honest: Many liberals in the bridge-building space do want conservatives to change. Some liberals are motivated to reduce toxicity in hopes that conservatives will embrace more progressive views. Trying to persuade others to see things as you see them is not inherently wrong — politics is about advocating for what you believe in — but it’s important to acknowledge that this dynamic sometimes exists in spaces that claim to be unbiased, and that can create barriers to trust and collaboration.

Conservatives also bring their own biases to the table. Some people are overly pessimistic about the nature of these efforts. Some people may see liberals being involved as a reason alone to be suspicious (seeing the “other side” being involved can be a cause of suspicion across the board). 

As with people, in general, conservatives may think that gaining a deeper understanding of the “other side” equals agreeing with them. But the truth is we can understand without agreeing, and we can strive to de-escalate and reduce contempt while staying true to our beliefs.   

Republican vs. Democrat isn’t the whole story

Another factor is that our political landscape has shifted a lot over the last few years. Trump has dramatically altered the Republican Party. This can make it hard for us to talk in clear ways about the nature of our divides. For example, there’s sometimes a focus on our divides being Republican vs. Democrat when it might be more accurate in many cases to call it pro-Trump versus anti-Trump (because, for example, some self-described Republicans are anti-Trump, and some Trump voters identify as Democrats). 

This means that if a bridge-building organization includes Republicans who are largely anti-Trump, this can result in pro-Trump Republicans feeling unheard and misunderstood. 

Our hidden common ground

Despite these challenges, there’s a surprising amount of overlap between the work conservatives and liberals do in civic spaces. For example:

• Civil discourse vs. free speech advocacy: While civil discourse organizations often attract liberal participants, free speech advocacy groups (like FIRE) tend to be dominated by conservatives. Yet both are focused on fostering healthier conversations and reducing toxicity, even if their starting points and rhetoric differ.
• Interfaith vs. religious liberty work: Interfaith initiatives often involve progressive religious communities advocating for social justice. Meanwhile, conservative Christians and Jews are deeply involved in religious liberty efforts, protecting freedom of conscience and advocating for traditional values. Both are working to preserve and promote spiritual and cultural dialogue — just in different ways.
• Civic education and reform: Civic education programs aimed at teaching young Americans about democracy often have a liberal bent, focusing on reform and inclusivity. Conservative-led civic education efforts, on the other hand, emphasize constitutional principles, local governance, and American heritage. Again, the goals overlap: educating citizens and strengthening democracy. (Even as we may be polarized over the term democracy, we all mostly agree on the underlying principles.) 
• Veterans services: While not inherently political, veterans services tend to attract more conservative participation. These organizations work to honor and support those who have served, fostering community and civic engagement.

In all these areas, conservatives and liberals are addressing similar needs and using similar tools, even if their language and intentions differ. Recognizing this shared common ground is the first step toward bringing conservatives into the bridge-building fold.

How to build bridges with conservatives

If you want to engage conservatives, you have to meet them where they are — literally and figuratively. Here are a few tips:

1. Use inclusive language: Avoid liberal-coded buzzwords that might alienate conservatives. Instead, focus on shared values like respect, responsibility, and patriotism. (Watch Isaac Saul’s TED Talk on communicating across divides.)
2. Engage in their spaces: Instead of expecting conservatives to show up at events in traditionally liberal venues, go to places where they already gather — churches, gun clubs, local Republican events. Personal, face-to-face invitations work far better than mass emails.
3. Acknowledge their grievances: Conservatives often feel misunderstood or dismissed. Show them you’re willing to listen and engage with their concerns in good faith, even if you disagree.
4. Highlight shared goals: Focus on the 60-70% of work that overlaps, whether it’s civic education, fostering civil dialogue, or supporting local communities. Emphasize the practical benefits of collaboration, even when values differ.
5. Respect their autonomy: Conservatives don’t want to feel like they’re being asked to change or conform to liberal ideals. Frame bridge-building as a mutual effort to find common ground, not a one-sided attempt to “fix” them.

Why it matters

Bringing conservatives into the bridge-building movement isn’t just about fairness — it’s essential for making real progress. Without their participation, efforts to reduce polarization will remain lopsided and ineffective. Conservatives bring valuable perspectives and resources, and engaging with them can lead to unexpected collaborations and solutions.

Ultimately, bridge-building isn’t about erasing differences or compromising anyone’s values (although that is unfortunately often a perception). It’s about understanding the full spectrum of American experiences and finding ways to work together, even when we disagree. By meeting conservatives where they are and recognizing the work they’re already doing, we can create a stronger, more united movement for a healthier democratic republic.

This piece was written with insights gleaned from Luke Nathan Phillips, who has been involved in efforts to reduce political toxicity since 2017. Learn more about his work at lukenathanphillips.com.