What is Transpartisanship?

During times of political division, many are quick to draw a line in the sand and assume that there is only one ideological path to protecting our values. However, we at A More Perfect Union believe that protecting and strengthening American democracy is not a partisan issue.

For a printable version of this framework, click here.

What is Transpartisanship?

Transpartisanship is about finding points of commonality, in direct contrast to the "us vs. them" mindset that characterizes so many political conversations. Rather than dehumanizing each other as enemies to be destroyed, we can come together to co-create norms and behaviors that foster mutual tolerance. It's about acting in a manner that invites everyone to explore the possibility of developing shared goals, with pluralism and inclusion of multiple perspectives centered as both the “means” as much as the “ends.”

What is it not?

It’s easy to imagine that transpartisanship is about eliminating partisanship, but it isn’t. We don’t paper over differences in values or identity, or seek to create moderates. Nor do we expect to find full unity, complete agreement, or push politeness at all costs to avoid critique. Transpartisanship seeks to build a more complete understanding of other cultural perspectives, without requiring each other to share the same viewpoints.

Why do we approach our democracy work this way?

We believe that whatever issues we care about individually – from religious freedom to climate change to fair elections – we all have a stake in American self-governance. Engaging effectively in self-governance requires respect and compromise, and we can only exercise these muscles when we focus on what brings us together rather than what sets us apart.

Ultimately, transpartisanship is both an approach and a commitment – to ourselves, to each other, and to future generations.

How can I learn more?

Check out these resources to learn more about avenues to depolarization and why understanding people on the other side of the aisle is so important to the health of our democracy.

• The Perception Gap | JTA

• Transpartisan Coalitions: The Future of Policymaking (video) | New America

• The Belonging Barometer: The State of Belonging in America | Over Zero & the Center for Inclusion and Belonging

• Social Cohesion Mindset framework (PDF) | PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement)*

*We are grateful to PACE for their permission to use the “Social Cohesion Mindset” framework in this blog post and in our greater efforts. To learn more about PACE and their work, please visit pacefunders.org/SCP.