ABSTRACT
Our world is in the throes of multiple global crises, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the onset of climate change. These crises have revealed deep dysfunctions in our societies. Undergirding these dysfunctions is widening political, economic, and social polarization. Polarization has intensified to such a degree that it now constitutes what political scientists refer to as 'negative partisanship,' where policy positions are based on hostility to the opposition's view. Polarization extends beyond our politics and deeply into our culture, where it straddles divides of race, geography, religion, and gender. This Article explores the true nature of the problem of toxic polarization, the harms that flow therefrom, and what we must do about it. Advocates for unity and experts focused on de-polarization advance bridging practices as an antidote but have inadequately theorized how power and context shapes the possibilities for change. This Article argues that bridging is necessary but that such efforts must be sensitive to structural contexts. Through unique parallels drawn from dynamic film adaptations and pivotal literary works, this Article illustrates the power of context to reduce polarization and the power of narrative to shape interpretative meaning.
ABSTRACT
Using the inequality exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic as a vivid example, this article focuses on health equity from the standpoint of structural marginalization-here, described as being marked as an "other" outside of the circle of human concern. This process leads to tension between the principles of liberty and equality and contributes to the creation of systemic disadvantage as manifested in health disparities. Creating an equitable health system must begin with this root understanding and generate greater belonging through the policy process of targeted universalism. Targeted universalism replaces a disparities framework with one in which a universal goal is identified but targeted strategies to meet each population group's needs are employed.