Commentary: Fighting Polarization, Groupthink with de Tocqueville, 12 Angry Men

Photo of Duke professor Nasser Hussain
Nasser Hussain, associate director of Duke's Civil Life and Thought Initiative

Duke is equipping students to respect differing viewpoints in a variety of ways. This Duke Today series examines the decline in civil discourse and Duke’s efforts to improve campus dialogue.

Listen to this commentary below.

I teach at Duke University, and this fall my class is focusing on the presidential election. Given the current political climate, if you’re teaching about politics or the election or the American identity, you might expect discussions to heat up at times.  Surprisingly, it doesn’t happen as frequently as one might expect.

When I was teaching at Princeton, the repeal of Roe v. Wade was a hot topic, and many students had strong, passionate views. While this fervor can be beneficial, it’s crucial to manage the classroom dynamic to ensure all voices are heard equally, which might require me to moderate some of the more dominant personalities.  By giving all students the opportunity to express their positions, I promote a culture of respect and fairness.

When discussions become particularly charged, I find it helpful to step back and contextualize the topic within its cultural and historical frameworks. For example, while students may strongly disagree on issues of autonomy and choice in the abortion debate, reframing the conversation around shared values — such as supporting families — can reveal surprising areas of agreement. This approach fosters empathy and encourages students to find common ground.

Some folks hold one particular issue dearly, and if somebody transgresses a line on that issue, there is a tendency to write off the entire person.

I’ve observed a tendency for what can be described as a ‘single-issue cancellation.’  Some folks hold one particular issue dearly, and if somebody transgresses a line on that issue, there is a tendency to write off the entire person.  Abortion might be one such issue.  By exploring different facets of the topic, students often discover shared values, which helps prevent the complete dismissal of differing opinions or writing off a person. Cultivating empathy and patience is important. Especially the virtue of patience!

To reinforce these ideas, I often reference Alexis de Tocqueville’s concept of the tyranny of the majority, which warns us against the dangers of groupthink and collective passions in general. I also recommend students watch the film 12 Angry Men, a timeless classic that masterfully illustrates the importance of careful deliberation and avoiding hasty judgments. In fact, the specific case in the film revolves around a group of jurors “writing off” a person before a careful consideration of the facts. Ultimately, I encourage my students — and myself — to remain open to changing our views as we gain more information and experiences.

When passions run high, I see these moments as opportunities for deeper understanding. By exploring what matters most to students, we can identify both common ground and areas of disagreement, enriching the learning experience for everyone involved.

Nasser Hussain is associate director of the Civil Life and Thought Initiative at Duke. This semester he is teaching a course on the presidential election.

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