During his remarks at the 2024 Democracy Forum in Chicago, former President Obama criticized political polarization while highlighting the importance of “pluralism.” Recently back in the public eye while campaigning for Vice President Harris, he acknowledged that although the term pluralism may not be commonly used, its underlying idea is widely understood.
“The concept of pluralism should be and is actually familiar to all of us,” Obama explained. He emphasized that in a democracy, it is essential to find ways to coexist with those who are different from us.
Hope for pluralism remains, says Obama at 2024 Democracy Forum
He continued, “This means committing to a system of rules and practices that enable us to resolve our disputes peacefully. We must cultivate habits that encourage not just tolerance, but also opportunities for collective action.”
While promoting the notion of pluralism, Obama indicated that certain aspects of its application require attention. He pointed out, “The primary reason American pluralism appeared to function effectively in the past was due to who it excluded.
Throughout much of our history, democracy has been built upon a deeply entrenched caste system—both formal and informal—based on race, gender, class, and sexual orientation.” He stressed that this system severely limited access to power for major portions of the population.
Reflecting on his own experience, Obama recalled being the only African American in the U.S. Senate when he took office, and only the third since Reconstruction. He noted that by 2024, there have been just 12 Black senators, though that number is set to rise following the recent elections.
“It’s accurate to say that when everyone in Washington looked alike and shared similar experiences, the dynamics of deal-making and collaboration were much simpler,” he remarked.
The former president also criticized the growing polarization in politics and the media’s role in exacerbating it. “We are approaching a point where each party is increasingly uniform in its beliefs and less accepting of differing opinions,” Obama stated. “Media companies have recognized the profitability in catering to extreme views.”
He added, “This focus on extremes incentivizes politicians, party leaders, and interest groups to adopt maximalist positions on nearly every issue.”
Despite these challenges, Obama conveyed a sense of hope regarding the concept of pluralism. “Can pluralism thrive in today’s context? Is it a principle worth preserving? I firmly believe the answer is yes,” he asserted.
He concluded by stating, “I am convinced that if we want democracy, as we know it, to endure, we must all recommit to the principles of pluralism.”
