Benjamin Franklin, a visionary leader whose timeless lessons offer crucial insights for healing … [+] America in the Trump era. (Photo by VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)
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As Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term, America finds itself at a crossroads. The nation’s political and social divides run deeper than ever, with polarization at levels not seen in decades. Yet, amid this tension, research shows that many Americans deeply crave unity, yearning for a way to reconnect across ideological lines. The pressing question is: how can we begin the process of healing? While the answers to this question are multifaceted, the wisdom of one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, offers timeless guidance.
Franklin was more than just a statesman—he was a polymath, inventor, diplomat, and connector whose pragmatic idealism allowed him to bridge divides and create lasting change. His principles, forged during a time of intense political and ideological division, offer a roadmap for us today.
As America navigates the second Trump era, Franklin’s lessons are as relevant now as they were in his time. Here are six of his powerful principles that can guide us toward rebuilding unity and trust in today’s polarized landscape.
Franklin’s Pragmatic Idealism: Impact Over Ideology
Franklin’s brilliance was not only in his intellect but in his ability to turn ideas into real-world solutions. Ever the tinkerer, he constantly tested, refined, and molded new technologies, institutions, and ideas to find their most practical applications. A true pragmatic idealist, he consistently prioritized practical outcomes over rigid ideologies.
Born in a Puritan world steeped in dogma, Franklin rejected the extremes of his time. The Salem witch trials—just a decade before his birth—were a brutal example of the dangers of inflexible belief systems. Franklin’s immediate ancestors grew up in a world where the fear of witchcraft led to tragic consequences. Franklin, by contrast, believed that ideologies, whether religious or political, should serve society and drive practical, positive change, not limit progress.
Throughout his life, Franklin championed solutions over partisan ideology or outdated beliefs about how things should work. He pushed for the establishment of institutions like the first public lending library, volunteer fire departments, and the U.S. Postal Service, all of which were groundbreaking in their time. He even defied the British Board of Trade by advocating for a circulating paper currency to lower interest rates and make lending more accessible—despite widespread criticism that it was unnecessary and improper. His dedication to practical solutions led to a legacy of institutions and innovations that have shaped America and the world more broadly.
The Power of Working With People – Even Those You Don’t Like
Franklin knew that collaboration, even with those we may disagree with, is essential for progress. In his 1787 speech at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin said, “For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views.”
Franklin recognized that ideas don’t thrive in isolation. He knew that demanding perfect alignment in values or worldviews before engaging with others leads to stagnation, not progress. If we are to heal the divisions in America today, we must resist the temptation to demand ideological purity. Real progress often involves compromise and cooperation with those who hold opposing views.
Refusing to collaborate may feel righteous and even win approval from one’s own tribe, but it rarely produces meaningful change—or secures vital alliances. Doubtless, this is how Franklin found himself in Paris, persuading an absolute monarch to back the birth of a republic.
Follow the Evidence And Be Willing to Change Course
“I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantage authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first.” – Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography
Franklin’s willingness to change his views based on new evidence is a powerful lesson for today’s political climate. Early in his life, Franklin was opposed to smallpox inoculation and even used his older brother’s printing press to spread anti-vaccine sentiments—at times inadvertently stoking violence against vaccine proponents. But after reviewing the growing body of scientific evidence, Franklin—who tragically lost his unvaccinated son to smallpox—became a vocal advocate for vaccination.
This openness to change wasn’t limited to public health; Franklin’s views on slavery also evolved over time. Initially accepting the practice, Franklin eventually became a passionate abolitionist, influenced by abolitionist ideas he encountered during his time in London.
In a time where entrenched positions dominate American politics, Franklin’s ability to shift his views—when presented with new information—teaches us the importance of evidence-based decision-making. In the face of overwhelming challenges, leaders must be willing to pivot and adopt new strategies for healing and progress.
The Franklin Effect: Turning Critics Into Allies
One of Franklin’s most astute political strategies was his ability to turn rivals into allies. This approach, now called the “Benjamin Franklin Effect,” stems from a clever tactic he used to win over a rival legislator in Pennsylvania. Instead of confronting the man’s hostility, Franklin asked to borrow a rare book from his library. Flattered, the man obliged. Franklin returned the book with thanks, and their relationship transformed into a lifelong friendship.
In today’s polarized environment, where political enemies often view vulnerability as weakness, Franklin’s approach offers a refreshing alternative. By inviting critics to contribute, leaders can foster trust and mutual respect. A simple question—“Can you help us improve this?”—can transform antagonism into collaboration.
Invest in Community Building – Even If It’s Just Joining a Club
Franklin understood that authentic connections are the cornerstone of unity. At just 21, he founded the Junto Club—a group of thinkers, artisans, and merchants dedicated to testing and applying ideas for real-world impact. This collaborative spirit wasn’t just about intellectual debates; it laid the foundation for Franklin’s larger successes, like uniting the colonies. As Postmaster General, he improved communication networks, physically and socially binding regions that once saw themselves as separate.
Benjamin Franklin’s iconic 1754 ‘Join or Die’ snake cartoon, symbolizing the importance of unity, … [+] offers timeless lessons for healing America’s divisions in the Trump era. (Photo By Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG Via Getty I
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In today’s divided America, the path to unity begins with small acts of connection. Research by political scientist Robert Putnam, referenced in the Netflix documentary Join or Die—named after Franklin’s famous 1754 segmented snake cartoon—shows that civic engagement—whether through joining a club or participating in community organizations—builds trust and strengthens democracy. Franklin’s commitment to community building reminds us that healing divisions doesn’t require grand gestures—it starts with everyday actions that foster collaboration and trust.
Isolation Weakens Us, While Cooperation Strengthens
“There was never a good war or a bad peace,” Franklin famously remarked during the Treaty of Paris negotiations.
Franklin’s vision for global cooperation offers an important lesson for America today. Initially, Franklin sought to keep the American colonies united with Britain under the Crown, advocating for reconciliation until independence became inevitable. This made him one of the more reluctant separatists among the founding fathers.
Yet, after the Revolutionary War, Franklin’s commitment to international cooperation set him apart from many of his contemporaries. He viewed global collaboration in science, education, and humanitarian causes as essential for the progress of humanity—even with former adversaries. As Ambassador to France, Franklin played a key role in the negotiations that ended the conflict. Despite the personal bitterness he endured during the war—such as the estrangement from his loyalist son, William—he approached diplomacy with pragmatism and an eye toward building lasting bridges.
Franklin also maintained an intellectual friendship with his British counterpart, the scientist and theologian Joseph Priestley, demonstrating his belief in transcending political divides and cross-border collaboration to foster shared progress. As one documentary aptly describes, Franklin was “a citizen of the world,” embodying the idea that humanity’s greatest achievements arise from cooperation rather than isolation.
Drawing on Franklin’s Lessons To Rebuild Unity In The Second Trump Era
As Donald Trump begins his second term, Benjamin Franklin’s timeless words resonate more than ever: “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Franklin’s pragmatic idealism reminds us that unity requires compromise, collaboration, and a focus on common goals.
Just as Franklin forged alliances across ideological lines to build a new nation, today’s leaders—and citizens—must embrace his example. Whether it’s asking a rival for help, investing in community, or being willing to change course in light of new evidence, Franklin’s lessons teach us that unity isn’t just desirable for healing—it’s essential for survival. As Americans grapple with a fractured political landscape, Franklin’s wisdom offers a roadmap: healing begins when we value cooperation over conflict and shared progress over isolation.
By embodying these six timeless lessons from Benjamin Franklin, we can navigate the challenges of the second Trump era and work toward a more united, resilient America.
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Publish date : 2025-01-18 01:46:00
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Publish date : 2025-01-18 15:59:34
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