The Society We Deserve: Where Everyone Belongs and Everyone Can Thrive
Updated: Sep 11
What is a “social contract?” And what happens when fear, isolation, and distrust begin to erode the relationships that hold a society together?
A social contract is the web of relationships, trust, and moral agreements that allows people and communities to cooperate. In the United States right now, it may feel like the social contract has been broken. Upon deeper inspection, you'll see what's happening in American life isn't a failure of values; it's a failure of the relational infrastructure that connects us.
In this webinar, recorded on September 11, Rev. Terry Kyllo of Paths to Understanding talks about dehumanization, belonging, social trust, civic renewal, and the possibility of rebuilding cooperation across divides toward a world where everyone has the chance to thrive - no exceptions.
Drawing on more than a decade of work with communities across the United States, Terry explores why so many in the United States feel increasingly divided, and why he believes the situation is serious without being hopeless.
The conversation introduces the idea of the “civil contract:” the web of relationships, trust, and moral agreements that allows people and communities to cooperate. Terry shares that much of what feels broken in American life isn't necessarily a failure of values, but a failure of the relational infrastructure that connects us.
Watch to understand:
How dehumanization turns fear of other groups into distrust and isolation
Why our differences may be less of a problem than our distance from one another
How social media is amplifying harmful perceptions
Why human beings need cooperation, and how that capacity can be rebuilt
Practical ways to begin conversations with neighbors who have different cultures, religions, identities, or political perspectives
If you're interested in rebuilding trust, strengthening democracy and communities, reducing polarization, or simply learning how to know your neighbors again, this conversation offers both a framework for understanding the moment and practical ways to begin.
See the description directly on YouTube for the full list of references and resources.
