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United KingdomPolitics4 days ago

Saumitra Jha on why he changed his mind about climate change, and unexpected tricks that work to reduce polarization

This article discusses strategies for reducing societal polarization and changing perspectives on issues like climate change. It features an interview with Saumitra Jha, a professor of political economy, who shares insights from financial experiments in various regions. The discussion includes topics such as 'skin in the game' incentives, historical uses of finance to resolve conflicts, the risks of hero worship, and the evolving understanding of climate change as a non-luxury issue.

In a political climate dominated by echo chambers, media polarisation, and democratic backsliding, how do we actually get people to change their minds?

In this episode of Changed My Mind , we’re joined by Saumitra Jha , professor of political economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Citing financial experiments in Israel, Palestine, and post-referendum Britain, Professor Jha shares both historical insights and behavioural evidence on how to bridge deep societal divides.

Plus, he opens up about his own profound shift in perspective: why he completely changed his mind on the relationship between global poverty and climate action.

What you’ll learn:

The Power of “Skin in the Game”: Why giving people small financial stakes to trade in conflicted markets appears to bypass cognitive bias

Swords into Bank Shares: How historical societies used finance to successfully pacify deep caste and political conflicts

The Double-Edged Sword of Hero Worship: How the immense trust earned by a World War I General led his loyal network of soldiers straight into Nazi collaboration

Climate Change is Not a Luxury: Why the traditional economic theory that environmental protection is a luxury reserved for wealthy nations no longer holds up

Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together  https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

Read the full article at openDemocracy →
Source document: Changed My Mind podcast

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openDemocracyIndependentCenter4 days ago
Saumitra Jha on why he changed his mind about climate change, and unexpected tricks that work to reduce polarization

This article discusses strategies for reducing societal polarization and changing perspectives on issues like climate change. It features an interview with Saumitra Jha, a professor of political economy, who shares insights from financial experiments in various regions. The discussion includes topics such as 'skin in the game' incentives, historical uses of finance to resolve conflicts, the risks of hero worship, and the evolving understanding of climate change as a non-luxury issue.

Bias read (Center): The article presents academic insights and behavioral economics research without overtly favoring any political side. It focuses on general strategies for reducing polarization and does not take a stance on specific policy positions or ideological arguments.

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