America, conflicted and in conflict

Conflict is a word that many associate with global affairs. There are ongoing conflicts in almost every corner of the world, including our own. Conflict is often about power: who has it, who wants it, how to define it and what those with power do with it, especially as regards their less powerful citizens or neighbors.

To be “conflicted” is also a word that carries with it the notion of ambivalence, confusion and inconsistency in thought or action.

These days Americans are both in an active stage of conflict and conflicted about what defines America and what defines being an American.

First, it is worth reminding people that conflict, in and of itself, is not always a negative state. It is possible to live with conflict among people and nations as long as the conflict does not escalate into violence.

Let’s look at the state of America in terms of violent conflict.  

The U.S. murder rate rose 30 percent between 2019 and 2020 — the largest single-year increase in more than a century, according to data published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The findings align with a separate tabulation of the nation’s murder rate published by the FBI in September. The year-over-year increase in the U.S. murder rate in 2020 was the largest since at least 1905 – and possibly ever, according to provisional data from the CDC. (Final data are not expected to differ much from the provisional data.) There were 7.8 homicides for every 100,000 people in the United States in 2020, up from six homicides per 100,000 people the year before. The rise in the nation’s murder rate last year far exceeded the 20 percent increase measured in 2001, which was driven by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Crime has reached unacceptable levels. There was a 30 percent jump in killings in 2020, and a further increase of 16 percent in the first half of 2021. Over an 18-month period, about 33,000 lives were lost to violence in the United States — 8,400 more than would have been killed had homicide rates stayed the same as in 2019.

To understand why violent conflict in America has increased, you have to go back to the basic tenets of conflict study. Part of conflict resolution and deterring conflict, especially when it comes to violent conflict, is the notion that there are consequences for bad behavior. Right now our system of accountability is broken, and we are not even sure we agree on what is “bad” behavior.

Police continue to make arrests. But two years of a pandemic has left the legal system hamstrung — the courts clogged, prosecutions and grand juries inactive, and police forces overwhelmed and under resourced. That means that those who turn to violence have no disincentive to stop. In short, crime pays when there is no swift, certain and consistent punishment.

Conflict resolution is also about confidence building. It is hard to get warring parties to seek common ground if there is no mutual trust, no trusted mechanism to bridge gaps and no basic understanding of right and wrong.

In terms of feeling conflicted about our system of government, the facts support the notion that people have mixed feelings about how America is working these days. 

The United States stands out among 17 advanced economies as one of the most conflicted when it comes to questions of social unity. A large majority of Americans say there are strong political and strong racial and ethnic conflicts in the U.S. and that most people disagree on basic facts. 

Interestingly, France and South Korea are two other nations where citizens are highly conflicted about their own country. In order for this nation to move forward in a positive direction, there has to be consensus that we are a) tired of conflict, and b) eager to return to a sense of normalcy that includes public health and robust debate but also clear lines of civil discourse and legitimate dissent. Only then can we look back without malice and judgment and agree on a basic code of ethics.

Let’s be honest: America is not exceptional right now. We have taken our place among nations that succumb to division and abandon the basics of democracy with all the checks and balances that enable a free society to have clashes of views without resorting to undemocratic, violent action.

The holiday season is upon us. Goodwill is the watchword of our nation. By nature, we are a generous people. Let’s go into 2022 with a forward-looking, healthier view of ourselves and of our country, and commit to practicing the principles of conflict resolution and peace building here at home. 

Tara D. Sonenshine is a former U.S. under-secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs.