Talking To Strangers Analysis

In the last few chapters of Talking to Strangers, Danielle Allen makes her case for political friendship and how we can transform mistrust and fear into trust generation and friendship. As we have discussed in previous weeks, Allen feels that, above all else, mistrust and lack of reciprocity are the two bad habits that keep society from progressing to a state of wholeness and peace. In order to drastically change the citizenry, Allen suggests, citizens must learn and adopt the concept of political friendship. Political friendship, Allen points out, “…is not [concerned with] the emotions of friendship that are relevant to politics but rather its core practices,” (Allen 120). By core a practice, Allen is referring to equitability and equality, …show more content…
Initially, I thought it strange to embrace the practice of simply “talking to strangers.” It is so embedded within our minds that it is almost instinctive to practice isolation from those we do not know. However, I agree with Allen that lack of reciprocity and mistrust are threats to democracy. Furthermore, I feel this solution of political (non-intimate) friendship is a viable option. She makes a strong point that we treat our friends equitably and equally, so why can’t this concept be applied to the total stranger? When reading these chapters, I tried to envision a world where this was implemented. In my mind, people were happy and friendly. I believe democracy, and the politics within it, would produce more effective laws if the interests of the whole citizenry were taken into account. If we were all political friends, interactions would be more respectful and considerate. To see the necessity of Allen’s plan, one need only to look at the United States Congress. The party division is astonishing. What is even worse is the division between the House and the Senate. In Washington D.C., you have two parties with legislators that will not even acknowledge the other’s right to be there. Last year, it led us to a shutdown for almost two weeks. Another will not match the sacrifices of one congressman. Rather than governing in the interest of the people they represent, they govern only in the interest of being crowned victorious in some legislative battle. State government in Massachusetts exemplifies the effectiveness of political friendship. Last summer, democratic leadership in the Massachusetts Senate asked that the house propose a bill that would tighten gun laws in the state. Knowing the Republican Party would staunchly oppose this, Speaker Robert DeLeo asked the