going with this republican-led house. and i feel like it should be changed and it would be for the better. >> and i want the house to remain in republican hands because i am tired of gridlock and things not getting done, and if it slips, i am afraid it will be another session of no change. >> issue i think is most important relative this coming fall campaign is for there to be balance in the house of representatives and in the u.s. senate. currentforce the administration to govern from the center, which i think it is important. i think it is when we govern from the center -- i teach this -- it is important to do this because it teaches us to have empathy for the other side and teaches us to be able to recognize other people and issues that are important to them. >> voices from the states, part of c-span's 50 capitals tour.

host: we have the co-author of a hidden hey did the tribes of america. in common.t is more guest: it is an international devoted to that is understanding and combatting racturization and polarization in society. ost: your survey the study of america's polarized landscape, what did you do? surveyed 8,000 americans across the country all reserve samples so we samples and tive all socioeconomic status and the hours of focus groups and interviews to better understand what is going on in of polarization in society today. a variety of eman

-- we asked people a variety of questions, about their core eliefs so they are questions related to more their underlying views about what makes a good what are their moral oundations, moral values, things like that. then we asked a bunch of questions about views about politics today. everything from immigration it gun control. host: you characterized the of this and put people into a variety of groups. those groups is progressive activists. they make up about 8%. are these people? guest: progressive activists are ideologically liberal segments.he seven we used their core beliefs and ategorized them into sunday segments that range across the deological spectrum from progressive activists on the left and to devoted right.atives on the

so, progressive activists are ery, very active in politics, ngry, secular and more cosmopolitan higher education and higher income than some segments and they are much concerned usion and with issues of social justice in america today. other groups of the conservative wing, the other side, traditional conservative up 19% and devote d conservatives making up 6%. you call these two segments the side. of the other who are these people? uest: the traditional conservatives and devote conserve actives both tend to be slightly old er and living more in the south and midwe midwest. they also tend to be more more ican voter,

supportive of donald trump, more pposed to issues like immigration, more supportive of and things triction like that. host: then you have what you exhausted the majority. they are traditional liberals 11%. make up passive liberals 15%. politic disengaged at 26%, this group.h 15% of what do you mean by the exhausted majority? guest: exhausted majority is 67% population. it has three-man qualities. umber one, they are frustrated with polarization and they are fed up with the system as a with and they are fed up both sides arguing at each other and don't necessarily identify extreme views of either the left or the right. they are more flexible in their so they dannell answer the

-- don't necessarily answer the vary responses from issue to issue. and they don't necessarily have much of a voice in the american political discourse they are not necessarily as loud or assen assen engaged. the model rates and traditional liberals are paying attention they also feel disillusioned and not necessarily represented process.litical host: did you ask these groups what y vote and, if so, did they tell you? groups, f the four traditional, liberal rams and model -- liberals and moderates more inclined. passive liberals and politically disengaged are were less likely to vote or be active in the community. some don't know who the vice

president is and they are not necessarily very much engaged on.h what is going they hear people talk about politics but it doesn't concern lives so they don't pay that were. host: david brooks looked at the and he wrote a smarter look at america areas divide. sometimes think of this as a populist moment he not true.hat is my first big take away from hidden tribes is our political is primarily a rich white civil war between progressives and privileged conservatives. right. that's host: explain. guest: what we have are essentially on the wings of the most, the most extremes of the ideological spectrum the progressive activists on the devoted conservatives on the right are both more ikely to be white than the other groups.

they are also higher income than the other groups. they are more engaged in the political process. they are more likely to vote segment and more likely to be active in social edia and voices more likely to be heard. what we see and this is sort of of -- the kerr insights core insights there is a perception that america is polarized. nine of 10 americans say that is the most polarized in their life times and we have 50-50 divide red versus blue and cosmopolitan rural, liberal versus conserve active. is that re suggesting perception is mostly driven by the extremely loud voices at the most extreme ends only about 15% the rest ulation and of america doesn't subscribe to hatred ense sense of

were the other side and strong identity with their own political views. they are more interested in compromising and finding common ground. host: he wrote unfortunately people in the exhausted majority coherent rrative, no philosophy to organize their action.g and compel when they get one i suspect it will look unlike the two narratives today. guest: yes, that's right. -- ofrpbl what we have the unfortunately the narrative that is put forward so often is very strong conservative values, religious alues on the right and on the left issues of social justice, of things.hose sorts what david brooks is suggesting nd i think this is very much true what we need in america is a new narrative, a new to unite americans

around common values. pay require a sense of both ion of people that sides often see as the enemy. is suggested is there may be an opportunity if you appreciate what the core beliefs that are driving people's views. for instance, we asked people that ch do you think people's circumstances are responsible for personal success versus their own hard work and discipline. conservatives are far more to say hard work and. and discipline are key to people on success and the left are more likely to say uck and circumstance is responsible for individual success. a narrative that engages majority may have it acknowledge complexity of both responsible and to acknowledge both the role of luck in people's lives and role personal responsibility.

host: another example david rooks gives is of this exhausted majority 80% think is a problem and 82 say the same about hate speech. guest: that's right. a consensus among americans that there are issues don't represent them as both extremes. the idea that people think hate is a problem suggest people think people should be more sensitive about certain america. there are topics that are still very much important and aspects are happening to underreserve underrepresented minorities. at the same time the idea that think political correctness is a problem suggests they think this even saying ity to wrong thing may ultimately be making roductive to

progress because it stops people have having the important to move ions they need the country forward. this so, what you do with surv survey, what are your recommendations? our recommendations are on who you pending are talking to. if we talk to the average news is umer the important thing to make sure that you have at daily ome voice in your news feed or whatever it is that you use so you don't necessarily if you are just getting news all the time that only confirms your own point of view not engaging with the important ideas on the other a e and you have to find voice or news source that you might disagree with but you respect. there is also -- we need to more age a sense of respect, good faith and dialogue n the, among the people in the exhausted majority by knowing

that there are 67% of the opulation that doesn't feel like they subscribe to the extreme views on the wings. an opportunity to say i'm not the only way who was this polarization doesn't represent me and that could be an opportunity to create more warneawareness and knowing that there's a group want to see instead of this dividing rhetoric an opportunity political leaders to say there's a whole group of just don't re who feel as though they are, their and they areg told being seen and spoken to. so for political leaders it is to create and put forward a narrative and dialogue this exhausted majority and that could be the political success and moving the country tpaorbtd. forward.

host: this is a survey by more in common. questions and ur comments. we will go to akron, ohio, a democrat. caller: hi. democrats and republicans are about the love and protection of animals but this senate flected in the and house. 51 republican senators voted to hunters into our ational wild life refuge to shoot mammals from planes. senator gle democrat voted for that. in the house 220 republicans for the murder and only five democrats did. in addition, 12 republican attorneys general filed a giving bigger se cages [inaudible]. anyone who is planning on voting incumbent congressman or

oman should know 90% voted for bear cub murder. host: ok. we will go to john in grand north dakota. a democrat. hi, john. caller: hi. all this tribalism stuff and olar decision is fine and dandy. but on this bombing stuff, only are going it benefit russians. are they are still in it because it.p lets them be in host: what are you referring to, john? caller: the bombings. host: what did you mean the only eople that benefit are the russians? caller: they are still in our elections. even said they are still there. right? host: ok. john in north dakota there, a democrat. what your about survey means for political

leaders. i want to show you're viewers have you respond to in kings institution in may an event at the state of american democracy and they of ussed the difficulty governing in this multicultural society. hard governing a mult multiracial, multi-ethic, mul - in which aal society was on of that society itself outnumbered at least in and suffering, hether true or not as a consequence of that. e don't have examples around so world of such successes, it is bound to be difficult. if the uld submit

economic conditions were that the pressure on vastly cultural would be diminished. host: what is your reaction to hearing that st? guest: i think he is absolutely right. country.is a very big it is one of the most diverse acially and socioeconomically in the world and there is an incredible challenge as americans that we have for unity.g i think that diversity is both at the same time one of the challenges politically and also one of the greatest strengths. it is an opportunity to learn each other. there is an american exuberance interpersonal energy that comes from the fact that people encountering people that look different and think different from them. one of ree that it is those sources of biggest challenges of america and also be different to

and move ahead in the world in a unique. is host: what causes the tribalism?on, the guest: there's a bunch of different causes. xperts have talked about everything from the influence of oney in elections, the hyper polarize polarized essence of social media. has been talked about in other commentary is just the fact that everyone when they log social media every day theron countering views -- they encountering views that serve to enforce and confirm heir owner particular views about the world. so, what you have, because are notten countering -- notten countering something that are their beliefs they become ore convinced that their own world view is the only right one and they are more convinced that a different lds

point of view must be either inhuman.gnorant or so the social media aspect definitely plays a role. finally, even in traditional media you have an incentive to voices that are extremely, on the most extreme sides that are angry because that is more entertaining. people watch the news as much for entertainment so they that serve e voices to confirm their views where what we really need instead much sound bites is longer fortunately conversation here people can have a more nuanced and reasonable debate and they don't have to see each maybe s the enemy but have different approaches to accomplishing a common goal. host: lee from sleeve port -- shreveport louisiana. caller: i'm 59 and for people to

a station we need where there is a middle ground where people can argue like they do and also i can tell you something that upsets me is fact that i used to watch egyn kelly on fox and i really enjoyed her because she argued with a lot of people. that nt on nbc and made remark about black face. i'm from the south and that is terrible. that made me sick at my stomach. he -- i don't know if she didn't know it but that is ignorant if she didn't because i friends down here and it really hurt their feelings. that is wrong. gets people stirred up. and to young people like you know about do you that? have you heard about it before? lot of young people like my son said mom i never heard about that. he said i'm glad i know. i said never should you say

something like that. do you know what i'm saying? thank you. thank you for that comment. first of all i agree with you 100% that what we need in the first part of the comment we people opportunity for to have debates in a respect fu not taking goal is down humility of the other person which is often the case news but instead having a easonable debate about not people's character but about their ideas and good faith opportunity to say we want the thing and we just disagree about the best way it accomplish it. point.s a fantastic in terms of megyn kelly's comments the other day, i'm of those comments. a o think that was not sensitive thing for her to say and she needs to take an opportunity to listen to the her and really see that while she may have the best is a sense s there

she doesn't seem understand the comments which her are being heard and i agree it is wrong. ost: mark in new york, a democrat. caller: hello. he can ndering if comment on if he's seen any part either s study where side has looked at both sides of the news. guest: i'm sorry, i'm not sure if i understand question. side has looked at both sides of the news? sticking withd of one narrative bounce back and understand both. host: do one of these groups that you identified. see.t: i the people on the extremes continued to be very, very in the news they get. devoted conservatives, traditional conserve actives a huge viewership and istenership of only a very few

select sources of news. nd rush g fox news apbd limbaugh, conservative commentators. want them to find somebody who doesn't confirm those views and that dy that you respect you might disagree with that will be an opportunity to at the hear another side of story. there goes for both sides. i think that liberals sometimes of their et outside very closed bubble and need to take an opportunity to listen to the other side. there are some people in social suggest even when you listen to the other side it doesn't make them change their make them more convinced of their views. but if you find somebody you whose good faith you respect and think they are rying to do the best for the country there will be time for people to have a little bit more omplex understanding of the

different ways we can approach progress in america. looked at different views and how people responded. immigration impact. 51% said immigration is good for helping sectors of our economy to be more successful and competitive. 49% said it is bad for america system and welfare you using resources that could on americans. 51.ual heart was 49, white privilege. these the results of questions you asked about these issues, what do they tell you? what you are pointing out are some issues that are the ideologically split in america. is suggestion is a picture of left versus right. ask slightly more

detailed questions about see aic policy issues you fair at of agreement. agreement.unt of if you ask if illegal people brought as children should have pathway to citizenship over hree quarters of americans think they should. if you ask should we have tricter gun laws it present further mass shooting three there s or more think should be stricter gun laws so there are aspects and issues in unite americans but these issues are often lost because there is this perception just us versus them. figure key here is to out what those issues are and to those extreme minorities of people that are in digits that are often taking over the conversation and preventing progress from being issues that unite

americans. host: if there was a political wanted to there who exhausted this, -- majority how could they appeal o this group in a new wapbsed -- nuanced way on complicated issues and get people to go with them and not have their eyes glaze over? uest: it is all about developing a new language and narrative for america. and this ve right now is what david brooks pointed out, we have a narrative that is focused on social justice and oppressed people that are not enjoying the same benefits and dignity that other are.cans that is an important issue. these continue to be important issues. on the other hand, when you have conserve active that -- conservative that have genuine concerns about whether it with open o have things like

all gun rights to be taken away not that democrats re saying that but these are people who are very focused on the idea that of personal on onsibility and focused the idea -- i will give you an idea. conservatives when you ask them parenting is it more important for a child to be creative ersus conserve actives are more -- conservatives are more likely to there should be obedient nd respectful of elders and good manners. these are important values and liber conserve ear whether actives are -- hear what kobe chalking e saying and it up to i think in accordance i think in accordance or authoritarian views or maintain and continue to

social and structural injustice. case, y sometimes be the but the point here is that when somebody mentions the idea of a being obedient or a person being responsible and having their in some sense of outcomes this doesn't necessarily mean they are a terrible person. answer the question, a leader who is capable of joining narratives and saying as americans it is in everyone's interest to ensure everyone has equal dignity in america. does not matter what side of the political spectrum you on. at the same time you can acknowledge there are opportunities for people to make their own way and to have a of control in their environment. people that makes both see that the issues of both ides are issues if we can get rid of this caricature we have of each side and join them and issues everyone

can care in is the narrative that someone can unite the, and move -- the, hawed majority. -- exhausted majority. john we will talk to independent. caller: the reason i'm independent is i have major issues with both parties. i can't stand the republicans' stance on gun control. can't stand democrats' stance on supporting teachers unions not allowing tree choice. i can't stand the democratic wanting to -- attitude toward wanting to tax political r their donors and i don't like the epublicans' attitude on abortion is i'm clearly divided. and i do try to listen to c-span a lot because i do think you give the balanced view of people rom each extreme as well as people in middle. as the writer

points out that the media has to get ratings, has two get attention and so they are going extreme or the statement in order to get people to pay attention to them. my wifeas i like c-span do not because it is not entertaining. i don't know what the answer is, to get people to be interested in education. to juan williams on fox hannity and cnbc rarely but once in a while they have a few make sense. how do we get people to listen don't want to hear from the opposite side? great question. thank you. i think that one thing that is in the media is there is a perception that what hyperpolarizedis

xtreme argumentative views and what our data suggests is this is not the case. america an appetite in for a more reasoned, respectful i think that media channels are just overlooking this opportunity. i agree with you, right now you often ironment just get very, very polarized on both sides and you have very little opportunity for form conversation. but americans want this and i channels are ia often missing this opportunity because they don't know it. laurel, will go to maryland. a republican. you are on the air. thank you for taking my call. down thathave to turn

television, ok. listen and talk through the phone. can r: daniel, i wish you come on tv every station, every you on for a put half hour. be unified.t we can been saying is so very right. points to a few make. that is, i grew up in india, and and live the ome american dream. this country is just the most country to come to. and settled came down here, it was so wonderful. but things have changed so badly years.e many

i believe one of the reasons is there sis a cultural radiation. tphis not homogenous like denmark or a skaeupbd nativen -- countries.n we have whites, blacks, asian, become t and when we u.s. citizens we have to think o ourselves we are americans resolve to saying , youwe are being basically being put down upon or looked down upon, or that we are being told we don't belong to this country. all of us are >> live campaign coverage, to