Polarity Politics and the 2024 Election

Corey deVosCognitive, Ethical, Integral Justice Warrior, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Politics, Video, World Affairs

In this short presentation, Corey describes a fascinating approach to understanding and addressing political polarization in our society. He explains how the “first-past-the-post” voting system inherently creates a two-party system, which in turn leads to cultural polarization. This polarization affects not just society at large, but also our individual hearts and minds. Corey emphasizes the importance of recognizing that every political polarity has both healthy and unhealthy aspects on both sides. He advocates for a practice of examining our own biases, integrating the positive aspects of opposing viewpoints, and avoiding the trap of comparing the best of our preferred position to the worst of the opposing view.

To combat polarization, Corey proposes a two-step process for when we encounter opposing viewpoints. First, we should question whether the opposing view represents a pole in a larger polarity that we’ve relegated to our shadow, and if so, work to reintegrate it. Second, if we determine the opposing view truly represents unhealthy qualities, we should engage by acknowledging the healthy aspects of their position while gently introducing the positive qualities of the opposing view. This approach aims to create a path for realignment and mutual understanding. Corey argues that this practice is crucial for integralists and anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of modern political discourse, as it allows for a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of political issues, and of ourselves.

This spotlight was excerpted from the full 90-minute discussion with Mark Fischler about polarity politics and the 2024 election. You can find the full description below. Log in or become a member to enjoy the full discussion!

Become A Supporting Member To Unlock The Full Episode

Get access to easy-to-use resources that help you learn big ideas quickly. You don’t need a lot of time to start changing your perspective and growing. Here’s what’s included:

Insight Maps
  • Full Videos & Podcasts: Experience enriching discussion that will expand your perspective
  • Key Questions to Reflect Upon: We prepared some thought-provoking questions designed for your personal reflection
  • Polarity Maps: Identify and understand this episode’s crucial tensions and polarities
  • Full Written Transcript: Get all the key information you need, available in PDF or EPUB formats for learning on the go
  • Illustrated Insight Map: Easily navigate through the core insights and takeaways
  • Guided Polarity Practices: Designed to help you integrate polarity thinking into your life
Get Full Access For $1 (30 days)* Or explore all membership plans → * Trial price for the first 30 days, then $20/month. Cancel or switch plans in 2 minutes at any time.

Perspective Shift:

  1. Our reactions to political figures and issues often reveal our own shadows. By examining our strong reactions, we can uncover neglected aspects of ourselves and work towards reintegration.
  2. The political divisions we witness in society reflect the unresolved polarities within us. By observing our reactivity to certain political figures or policies, we can identify areas of our inner life that may be out of alignment.
  3. Political chaos can serve as a catalyst for growth. While disruptive, political upheaval can expose systemic dysfunctions and create opportunities for awareness and positive change.
  4. Effective leadership requires balancing direct and systemic causation. Instead of focusing solely on immediate solutions or long-term systemic changes, we need leaders who can integrate both approaches.
“As integralists, we always want to do the both/and thing. We want to look at all the polarities and integrate as many sides of those polarities as we possibly can. However, the nature of the beast when it comes to politics is you can’t just sit there and ‘both/and’ all the time. Politics is, by definition, an either/or scenario. You have to pull this lever, or you have to pull that lever.”Corey deVos
“I think we have to recognize the complexity and the comprehensive nature of every situation. Every policy, every approach—there are partialities of truth, and we aren’t doing justice if we only bring forward the pieces that align with our favored polarity.”Mark Fischler

In this episode of Integral Justice Warrior, Corey deVos and Mark Fischler dive into the complexities of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, offering a nuanced perspective that goes far beyond typical political analysis. They explore the delicate balance between “both/and” thinking — which allows for consideration of multiple viewpoints — and the “either/or” decisions required in voting. The conversation unveils how the very structure of our political system shapes not just parties, but our culture and individual psyches, often leading to polarization, oversimplified narratives, and broken sense-making.

At the heart of their discussion is a practical approach to navigating political polarities. Corey introduces a method for recognizing when we might be projecting our own shadows onto political issues, or when we may be standing in someone else’s shadow projections or introjections. This insightful framework provides tools for more self-aware and productive political conversations, potentially transforming how you engage with differing viewpoints. Corey and Mark also offer their reflections on the recent Harris-Trump debate, analyzing how presentation and substance can dramatically shift perceptions even among committed partisans.

As the conversation concludes, both Mark and Corey share their personal voting decisions for the upcoming election. However, rather than simple declarations, they provide thoughtful explanations that weigh multiple factors, from immediate policy concerns to long-term impacts on political discourse. Their approach demonstrates how integral thinking can inform political choices while respecting the complexity of the issues at hand.

Whether you’re politically engaged or simply seeking a more nuanced understanding of current events, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools for navigating the chaos of our current political realities.

Topics include:

Part 1: Both/And & Either/Or Thinking in Politics
Part 2: How the Two-Party System Drives Polarization
Part 3: Post-Debate Reflections
Part 4: Cats, Dogs, and Immigration
Part 5: Who Is Mark Voting For?
Part 6: Who Is Corey Voting For?

Previous Episodes of Integral Justice Warrior

Between Hope and History: An Integral View on Israel-Palestine

Between Hope and History: An Integral View on Israel-Palestine

Mark Fischler
Mark Fischler and Corey deVos bring some integral perspective to the Israel-Palestine conflict, navigating the multiple nested contexts that make this issue one of the most enduring and complex in modern history. The conversation explores the critical tensions between different historical legacies, cultural identities, and political intricacies, all contributing to a seemingly intractable conflict that defies simplistic narratives. With deep compassion and empathy, Mark and Corey acknowledge the ongoing violence and suffering experienced by people on both sides, underscoring the urgent need for solutions that address these deep-rooted issues.
From Socrates to Social Media: Renewing Our Commitment to Free Speech

From Socrates to Social Media: Renewing Our Commitment to Free Speech

Nadine Strossen
Mark Fischler and Corey deVos are joined by Nadine Strossen, a renowned advocate for free speech and former president of the ACLU, to traverse the rich history and the evolving frontier of free speech — a legacy that reaches from the philosophical debates of ancient Greece to today's dynamic platforms of social media. Together, Nadine, Mark, and Corey illuminate the journey of free speech (a crowning achievement of the rational/modern (Orange) stage) celebrating it as a beacon of individual rights and a testament to the unyielding human pursuit of truth and expression.
Peace, Love, and Politics: A Campaign to Transform America

Peace, Love, and Politics: A Campaign to Transform America

Marianne Williamson
In this episode of Integral Justice Warrior we are joined by special guest, longtime friend, and Presidential candidate Marianne Williamson to take an inside look at her campaign and the core principles of love, peace, and compassion that it is built upon.
Accountability Matters: A Call for Ethics, Empathy, and Equality

Accountability Matters: A Call for Ethics, Empathy, and Equality

Mark Fischler
In this thought-provoking podcast discussion, Mark Fischler and Corey deVos delve into the intricacies of Trump's legal battles, the pursuit of accountability in politics, and the complexities of maintaining empathy and justice in a polarized society.
Transform the Police: A More Integral Approach to Law Enforcement

Transform the Police: A More Integral Approach to Law Enforcement

Chris Orrey
Mark and Corey are joined by Chris Orrey, a retired police lieutenant with over 30 years of service with the Hayward, California Police Department, to discuss the abuse and resulting death of Tyre Nichols, who was severely beaten and ultimately killed by five Memphis police officers after a routine traffic stop. What allowed this tragedy (and others like it) to take place? What sorts of personal, cultural, and institutional transformation are necessary to prevent something like this from occurring again?
Taking Justice Personally

Taking Justice Personally

Mark Fischler
Mark and Corey offer an intimate sharing of their personal stories, reflecting on some of the most formative experiences in their own lives that influenced their interest and enactment of justice. It is a tender and heartfelt conversation that we hope not only allows you to better understand their own passions and perspectives, but also invites you to reflect in a similar way on the critical fulcrums in your own life, and how these experiences continue to shape your standards of goodness, integrity, and justice.
Abortion, Freedom, and the Sanctity of Life

Abortion, Freedom, and the Sanctity of Life

Cindy Wigglesworth
Watch as Cindy Wigglesworth, Mark Fischler, and Corey deVos take a careful look at the Supreme Court’s deeply controversial decision to overrule Roe vs. Wade, and the subsequent banning of abortion access in dozens of states across the country. How does something like the sanctity of life change from one developmental stage to another? How do integral "metaphysics of wholeness" inform our views? Watch to find out.
Has the Supreme Court Lost Its Way?

Has the Supreme Court Lost Its Way?

Mark Fischler
Watch as Mark and Corey discuss the legitimacy crisis the Court is now faced with, the dangers of an “originalist” reading of the U.S. Constitution, and the failure of the left to produce a coherent legal theory to steer the Court (and the rest of the country) toward a better, more inclusive, and more stable vision of democracy.
What’s Wrong With Education (And How Can We Fix It?)

What’s Wrong With Education (And How Can We Fix It?)

Mark Fischler
Broken education produces broken people. How can integral perspectives and practices help our education systems generate more happy, healthy, and wholesome kids? Watch as Mark and Corey take a close look at the many dysfunctions, injustices, and failures we see in our education system — both within the system (how and what kids are being taught) as well as surrounding the system (access to education, funding, etc.).
What Is Integral Justice?

What Is Integral Justice?

Mark Fischler
Mark and Corey go back to basics by returning to some of the guiding principles running through the series — namely, how to enact justice in all four quadrants in order to support more equal opportunities and more equal outcomes, while reducing suffering for the greatest number of people.
Justice Breyer, Originalism, and the Engine of Enfoldment

Justice Breyer, Originalism, and the Engine of Enfoldment

Mark Fischler
Mark and Corey take a look at the life, legacy, and retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, and what distinguished his judgements and legal philosophy from other Supreme Court Justices. We then examine the legal doctrine of “originalism” — the idea that our founding documents should only be interpreted according to the specific contexts and understandings of the time they were written.
Wicked Problems: Bringing Wisdom and Compassion to Immigration

Wicked Problems: Bringing Wisdom and Compassion to Immigration

Magdalena Smieszek
Immigration matters have been viewed by many as a "wicked problem" — implying a complexity that has sets of values in tension, something societies have dealt with since the very dawn of civilization itself. Watch as Magdalena, Mark, and Corey offer their own ideas and reflect on the reasons this issue has become one of the central fault lines in the culture wars.
Afghanistan: Meeting at the Crossroads of Complexity, Chaos, and Compassion

Afghanistan: Meeting at the Crossroads of Complexity, Chaos, and Compassion

Magdalena Smieszek
Magdalena, Mark, and Corey try to bring a bit more wisdom and compassion to the topic of America’s occupation and withdrawal from Afghanistan, while holding a space for all the complexity, chaos, and heartbreak that is flooding our awareness.
The Forgotten People: Restoring Justice for Indigenous Cultures

The Forgotten People: Restoring Justice for Indigenous Cultures

Magdalena Smieszek
Join Mark, Corey, and special guest Magdalena Smieszek as they take a careful look at the many indignities and injustices that have been inflicted on indigenous populations in North America and around the world over the last several years, decades, and centuries.
Israel/Palestine: Where Do We Go From Here?

Israel/Palestine: Where Do We Go From Here?

Magdalena Smieszek
Watch as Magdalena, Mark, and corey explore the long and complex history of the region, offer their own thoughts on whether Israel qualifies as an “apartheid state”, and suggest some next step solutions in order to inch ourselves closer to genuine peace, stability, and justice for the men, women, and children on all sides of this seemingly intractable conflict.
What’s Wrong With Policing in America?

What’s Wrong With Policing in America?

Mark Fischler
Why do we see so many cases of apparent police abuse being recorded so frequently, but punished so rarely? What are some possible solutions that can help create more social trust for our police organizations, and a more peaceful society for all of us? Watch as Mark and Corey take a careful look at the Derek Chauvin verdict — and at the state of policing itself in America — as they offer their own personal views and try to sort through the conflicting narratives surrounding this tragically controversial cultural fault line.
Heartbreak in Boulder: Finding Meaning in the Wake of Tragedy

Heartbreak in Boulder: Finding Meaning in the Wake of Tragedy

Mark Fischler
On March 22nd, a mass shooting took place at the King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado which claimed the lives of 10 people. What follows is a heart-full conversation that invites all of us to bring more awareness to the full spectrum of emotion that is likely moving through all of us right now, a much-needed reminder that the integral heart is big enough for all of this, because it is a heart that is both utterly unbreakable, as well as always-already broken.
From Woke to Awake: An Intersectionality of Perspective

From Woke to Awake: An Intersectionality of Perspective

Mark Fischler
Mark and Corey have a rich and far-reaching discussion about our present political realities and challenges, dedicating the first half of the discussion to some of the major headlines from the last few weeks, and then exploring ways to elevate “woke culture” into a genuine “post-woke” integral sensibility.
Biden’s First Month, Trump’s Second Impeachment, and Cancelling Cancel Culture

Biden’s First Month, Trump’s Second Impeachment, and Cancelling Cancel Culture

Mark Fischler
How is the Biden Presidency going so far? Will Donald Trump be convicted in the Senate for his impeachment trial? Now that the political left has regained tentative control of our government, what do we do about “cancel culture” and other illiberal tendencies coming from the left? Watch this latest episode of Integral Justice Warrior as Mark and Corey shine a light upon these three questions.
Insurrection, Censorship, and Madness

Insurrection, Censorship, and Madness

Mark Fischler
Mark and Corey take an in-depth look at the heart-breaking events at the Capitol, offering their own full-spectrum response to this American travesty. They also discuss the response coming from corporations such as Google, Twitter, and Facebook, who are now beginning to purge their platforms of far-right voices and Q anon supporters. Is censorship ever the right thing to do? If you think you have a simple answer to the question, you might be missing something important.
Corey deVos

About Corey deVos

Corey W. deVos is editor and producer of Integral Life. He has worked for Integral Institute/Integal Life since Spring of 2003, and has been a student of integral theory and practice since 1996. Corey is also a professional woodworker, and many of his artworks can be found in his VisionLogix art gallery.

Mark Fischler

About Mark Fischler

Mark Fischler is a Professor of Criminal justice and current program coordinator for the criminal justice and criminology programs at Plymouth State University. Prior to joining the Plymouth State faculty, he practiced law, representing poor criminal defendants for the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office. Mark has worked extensively with alternative theoretical models in law, constitutional law, and higher education, and has published on integral applications to teaching, being a lawyer, and legal theory. His focus in the classroom is ethics and criminal procedure, and is well respected for a teaching philosophy that emphasizes recognizing the humanity and dignity of each student. Professor Fischler was awarded the outstanding teaching award at his university in 2014. He currently offers a weekly Spiritual Inquiry class through Satya Yoga Studio.