Wednesday, October 22
Disagreeing Better: Can Congress Still Find Common Ground?
The Constitution specifically designed Congress to be the nation’s deliberative arena—where competing interests, ideologies, and regions are brought into tension, negotiated, and resolved in ways that allow society to peacefully coexist despite our differences. Today, however, partisan gridlock and political incentives have left the institution paralyzed, fueling public frustration and strengthening the power of the presidency. Why is Congress increasingly unable to reconcile division into workable compromise? Is this congressional disfunction the driving force behind the long-established trend towards the imperial presidency? In this discussion, we will explore the institutional, political, and cultural roadblocks—from partisan polarization and structural incentives to shifts in media and public trust—that have left the legislative branch struggling to fulfill its core function.

Our Society Reimagined is a four-week discussion series that brings community members together to explore timely domestic issues that shape our modern society. Participants are given reading materials that will be used as background for lively, moderated discussions each week. Using the practice of civil dialogue, moderators will facilitate conversations that will help participants gain perspective on the underlying values and ideas that we hold as individuals and as a society and will explore how these tenets shape our lives.

The 2025 series will take place in person on our Aspen Meadows campus from 6:00-8:00 pm MT on four consecutive Wednesdays, October 15-November 5. Tom Morrison and Clint Kinney will return to moderate the series.

Fee: $195, includes all sessions, refreshments, and reading materials. Registration for the 2025 Series has now closed.

Please contact Ari Mizrahi at ari.mizrahi@aspeninstitute.org with any additional questions.