Lauren Hall, Rochester Institute of Technology

When it comes to national politics, Americans are fiercely divided across a range of issues, including gun control, election security and vaccines. It’s not new for Republicans and Democrats to be at odds over issues, but things have reached a point where even the idea of compromising appears to be anathema, making it more difficult to solve thorny problems.

But things are much less heated at the local level. A survey of more than 1,400 local officials by the Carnegie Corporation and CivicPulse found that local governments are “largely insulated from the harshest effects of polarization.” Communities with fewer than 50,000 residents proved especially resilient to partisan dysfunction.

Why this difference? As a political scientist, I believe that lessons from the local level not only open a window onto how polarization works but also the dynamics and tools that can help reduce it.

Problems are more concrete

Local governments deal with concrete issues – sometimes literally, when it comes to paving roads and fixing potholes. In general, cities and counties handle day-to-day functions, such as garbage pickup, running schools and enforcing zoning rules. Addressing tangible needs keeps local leaders’ attention fixed on specific problems that call out for specific solutions, not lengthy ideological debates.

By contrast, a lot of national political conflict in the U.S. involves symbolic issues, such as debates about identity and values on topics such as race, abortion and transgender rights. These battles are often divisive, even more so than purely ideological disagreements, because they can activate tribal differences and prove more resistant to compromise.

Such arguments at the national level, or on social media, can lead to wildly inaccurate stereotypes about people with opposing views. Today’s partisans often perceive their opponents as far more extreme than they actually are, or they may stereotype them – imagining that all Republicans are wealthy, evangelical culture warriors, for instance, or conversely being convinced that all Democrats are radical urban activists. In terms of ideology, the median members of both parties, in fact, look similar.

These kinds of misperceptions can fuel hostility.

Local officials, however, live among the human beings they represent, whose complexity defies caricature. Living and interacting in the same communities leads to greater recognition of shared interests and values, according to the Carnegie/CivicPulse survey.

Meaningful interaction with others, including partisans of the opposing party, reduces prejudice about them. Local government provides a natural space where identities overlap.

People are complicated

In national U.S. politics today, large groups of individuals are divided not only by party but a variety of other factors, including race, religion, geography and social networks. When these differences align with ideology, political disagreement can feel like an existential threat.

Such differences are not always as pronounced at the local level. A neighbor who disagrees about property taxes could be the coach of your child’s soccer team. Your fellow school board member might share your concerns about curriculum but vote differently in presidential elections.

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These cross-cutting connections remind us that political opponents are not a monolithic enemy but complex individuals. When people discover they have commonalities outside of politics with others holding opposing views, polarization can decrease significantly.

Finally, most local elections are technically nonpartisan. Keeping party labels off ballots allows voters to judge candidates as individuals and not merely as Republicans or Democrats.

National implications

None of this means local politics are utopian.

Like water, polarization tends to run downhill, from the national level to local contests, particularly in major cities where candidates for mayor and other office are more likely to run as partisans. Local governments also see culture war debates, notably in the area of public school instruction.

Nevertheless, the relative partisan calm of local governance suggests that polarization is not inevitable. It emerges from specific conditions that can be altered.

Polarization might be reduced by creating more opportunities for cross-partisan collaboration around concrete problems. Philanthropists and even states might invest in local journalism that covers pragmatic governance rather than partisan conflict. More cities and counties could adopt changes in election law that would de-emphasize party labels where they add little information for voters.

Aside from structural changes, individual Americans can strive to recognize that their neighbors are not the cardboard cutouts they might imagine when thinking about “the other side.” Instead, Americans can recognize that even political opponents are navigating similar landscapes of community, personal challenges and time constraints, with often similar desires to see their roads paved and their children well educated.

The conditions shaping our interactions matter enormously. If conditions change, perhaps less partisan rancor will be the result.

Lauren Hall, Associate professor of Political Science, Rochester Institute of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

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Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Rod Washington

Celebrating World Urbanism Day

On November 8th, we commemorate World Urbanism Day, a moment to acknowledge and advocate for the significance of urban planning in shaping livable communities. Also known as World Town Planning Day, this occasion highlights the interaction between inhabitants and their built environments in urban areas.

Urban planning focuses on creating healthy and vibrant communities that offer a high quality of life. By ensuring orderly development and preserving the economy and environment, planners strive to enhance the well-being of residents. The key elements of a livable city include plentiful opportunities for a high quality of life, diverse housing options, accessible public transportation, ample green spaces, and essential amenities like schools, grocery stores, and recreational facilities.

Cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, and Zurich exemplify healthy and livable communities, while Tripoli, Algiers, and Lagos face challenges in this regard. It is essential for us to engage in urban planning discussions, attend local council meetings, and explore ways to improve our communities. Let’s celebrate World Urbanism Day by spreading awareness, connecting with public health networks, and championing the creation of livable cities through #WorldUrbanismDay.

Check out our articles about urbanism: https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/urbanism/

Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Daily News Staff

PHOENIX, AZ — After years of planning and construction, Arizona is nearing completion of one of its most ambitious highway improvements to date: the addition of flex lanes along Interstate 17 between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. The project, led by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), introduces the state’s first-ever reversible lanes—an innovative traffic solution designed to ease congestion on one of Arizona’s busiest travel corridors.

What Are Flex Lanes?

Flex lanes, also known as reversible lanes, are two dedicated lanes built alongside the existing southbound I-17 lanes. These lanes can change direction depending on traffic flow, allowing more capacity where and when it’s needed most.

For example, during heavy northbound travel—typically on Saturdays and holidays when Valley residents head north to Prescott, Sedona, or Flagstaff—the flex lanes will carry northbound traffic. On Sundays or during peak return periods, the lanes will reverse to serve southbound drivers heading back to Phoenix.

According to ADOT, the reversible design allows the state to expand capacity without blasting through mountain terrain or widening the highway in areas with steep geography—reducing both cost and environmental impact.

How the System Will Work

The flex lanes stretch approximately eight miles between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point and feature:

• Automated swing gates and barriers to control direction and access
• Dynamic digital signs showing which direction is open
• Concrete and net barriers to prevent wrong-way entry
• Cameras and sensors monitored by ADOT’s traffic operations center
• Crossover lanes at each end for safe entry and exit

Drivers will simply follow signage to access the flex lanes, and once direction is established, it will be clearly indicated with overhead markers.

Timeline and Opening

The I-17 Improvement Project began in 2022 and includes both the flex lanes and a third general-purpose lane in each direction between Anthem Way and Black Canyon City—a 15-mile stretch that opened earlier in 2025.

Currently, the flex lanes are being used in a limited capacity as part of a temporary northbound detour during ongoing work. ADOT expects full reversible operation to begin by the end of 2025, once all safety and control systems are fully operational.

Benefits of the Flex Lanes

• Reduced Congestion: Reversible lanes give ADOT the ability to respond to real-time traffic needs, particularly on weekends and holidays.
• Shorter Commutes: More efficient traffic flow means less time sitting in mountain backups.
• Safety Improvements: Modern monitoring systems and barriers help reduce the risk of accidents in high-traffic areas.
• Cost Efficiency: The design avoids costly and environmentally challenging mountain expansions.
• Economic Boost: Easier travel may encourage tourism and smoother freight movement along the northern corridor.

Potential Drawbacks

• Learning Curve for Drivers: It may take time for regular travelers to adjust to the new system and signage.
• Maintenance and Operation Costs: Monitoring and maintaining automated barriers and systems adds long-term operational expenses.
• Incident Management: In the event of a crash or stalled vehicle within the flex lanes, emergency response can be more complex due to the limited access points.
• Schedule Adjustments: The direction of the flex lanes will generally follow weekend travel patterns, but unexpected traffic surges may require manual schedule changes.

Why It Matters

The I-17 flex lanes represent a modern, adaptive approach to traffic management—one that reflects Arizona’s growth and the need for smarter infrastructure. For the millions of residents and tourists who travel between Phoenix and the high country, the project promises to transform one of the state’s most congested routes into a more efficient, flexible, and safer highway experience.

Visit https://www.improvingi17.com/flex-lanes/ for more details on the project

Related Links

• Arizona Department of Transportation – I-17 Improvement Project
• ADOT Blog: Arizona’s First Flex Lanes Are Coming
• Improving I-17 Project Information Page
• ABC15 News: I-17 Opens Third Lane Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
• ADOT Press Release: Temporary Northbound Traffic Shift Ahead for I-17 Improvement Project

https://stmdailynews.com/sinking-cities-why-parts-of-phoenix-and-much-of-urban-america-are-slowly-dropping/