Points of Convergence: The Importance of Coalitions in Advancing Policy

After decades of intense political polarization in the United States, it is widely recognized that the country is divided along various fault lines—racial, religious, geographic, socioeconomic, and educational, among others. While division can lead to stark conflicts, it is also an inherent feature of the American political system. Divergent factions existed at the nation's founding and are now viewed as essential to its success. One prominent example is the well-known tension between Hamilton and Jefferson as they debated their visions for the federal government's role. 

The good news is that we do not need to wait for moments as significant as the nation's founding to create opportunities for building coalitions and promoting consensus. Organizations can leverage today's contentious political environment to their advantage, but it begins by countering conventional thinking. In short, pursuing policy goals is more successful when identifying points of convergence with other organizations that typically stand on opposing sides of a given issue. 

Take, for example, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, one of Georgia's leading social justice organizations. For years, it has advocated for and provided resources to promote the economic success of underserved communities. Unsurprisingly, the organization frequently finds itself at odds with the state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, on a myriad of issues. However, the interests of the underserved communities represented by the Urban League often align with those of numerous rural communities that support Governor Kemp. 

 Consequently, a meeting I facilitated between the CEO of the Urban League and Governor Kemp resulted in a commitment to collaborate on several issues, ranging from workforce development to childhood literacy. While there were some disagreements, they were overshadowed by a productive conversation that led to tangible progress.  

Most coalition development efforts typically involve bringing together like-minded groups. The idea that "we are stronger together" resonates, as organizations prefer to align with those who share similar views on most issues. However, this tendency toward soft tribalism can create gaps that hinder productive collaboration. People take notice when entities usually in opposition stand together on a letter supporting—or opposing—a piece of legislation or proposed regulation. The chances of that proposal succeeding or failing increase significantly when groups from different political backgrounds unite, compared to when similar organizations lend their support.  

The challenge lies in identifying these areas of agreement. The first step is to approach this exploration with an open mind. Receptive people will discover more common ground than they initially realize, leading to more productive policy proposals that can gain genuine consideration. 

Many might believe that with the Republican Party currently controlling the White House and Congress, we are in an era that does not favor coalition development. However, precisely during such times, the most remarkable coalitions can emerge – and, given the narrow margins in Congress, they will be necessary. Bipartisan legislation passed in this climate is often more sustainable. For instance, effectively addressing the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will require a coalition-based approach. AI regulation is not strictly partisan; those advocating for more regulation may include conservative groups seeking to protect cross-sector jobs affected by AI. On the other hand, those in favor of fewer regulations may consist of tech leaders who have traditionally leaned Democratic but now span the political spectrum. The outcome of AI regulation will likely result from an alliance of unlikely allies. 

At the heart of identifying these points of convergence is the fundamental premise that, as Americans, we have far more in common than we often care to admit. This broad, idealistic principle can be distilled into focused, pragmatic actions that lead to successful campaigns for organizations willing to embrace this approach. 

Want to continue the conversation? Email me directly at dsatcher@narrativestrategies.com. 

Daraka Satcher is a Managing Director at Narrative Strategies. Daraka was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Ohio River South, a Southeastern-based government affairs firm. He also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and Policy Aide in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.