The core democratic ideal of reaching consensus through respectful listening and dialogue was not a European invention. Joy Harjo points out that these principles were directly modeled on the political structures of Native nations, highlighting a foundational, yet often ignored, contribution to American governance.

In the immediate aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Jesse Jackson strategically positioned himself as the successor. He raced to Chicago and appeared on television, claiming to be the last person to speak with King and wearing a sweater he said was stained with King's blood to symbolically seize the mantle of leadership.

While national politics can be divisive and disheartening, city-level initiatives offer hope. In a local context, people are neighbors who must collaborate, respect each other's humanity, and work towards a common goal of improving their community. This forced cooperation creates a positive, inspiring model for progress.

Politicians often strategize about balancing a ticket demographically (e.g., race, gender, sexuality), but this misses the point. Voters ultimately support candidates with whom they feel a values-based connection. A ticket can overcome perceived demographic liabilities if it projects values that resonate with the majority.

To reduce hostility between political rivals, framing the conversation around a shared superordinate identity (e.g., 'we are all Americans') is highly effective. This strategy creates a foundation of unity and common purpose before tackling specific points of difference, making subsequent dialogue more constructive.

Buttigieg criticizes his own party for treating identity groups like items on a salad bar, offering something for each group individually. This approach, he argues, prevents the party from crafting a cohesive, unifying economic message that speaks to the shared interests of low-wealth people across all identities.

Josh Kushner's grandmother escaped a Nazi ghetto by digging a 600-foot tunnel with a spoon. He views her story of impossible resilience as an anchor for perspective. It reminds him that no professional struggle will ever compare, and no personal achievement will ever surpass what she accomplished.

Social movements build on one another. The campaign against slavery was not an isolated event; it directly inspired and provided the organizational template for the 19th-century women's rights movement. Similarly, the US Civil Rights movement created the model and momentum for the gay rights movement, showing how progress on one issue makes progress on others more likely.

In an era defined by tribalism, the idea of "love of mankind as a whole" was not a common concept. Jesus' teaching to love every person as a neighbor was a revolutionary act that transcended race, nation, and social class, making his message one of the first truly universalist philosophies.