How to Stop a Civil War

How to Stop a Civil War
“The core of the civic life is…the ability to find our way to rehumanize what the efforts systematically are of the dehumanization that's necessary for believing that our neighbors are our enemies.”

John Avlon talks with peacebuilding expert John Paul Lederach about America’s dangerous polarization and the rising risk of political violence. Lederach shares lessons from global conflict resolution, stressing that America must prioritize courageous dialogue, empathy, and curiosity to prevent violence. They explore how leadership and community-level engagement can rebuild trust, avoid the normalization of violence, and protect democracy.

Avlon, John. “How to Stop a Civil War.” How to Fix It with John Avlon. June 1, 2025 (published).

Shared with the permssion of John Avlon on behalf of The Bulkwark.

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