Amid a global pandemic, the United States is grappling with deep polarisation after a divisive presidential election and the events that followed. Moments of polarisation, radicalisation and extremism have increased public distrust in government, legislative gridlock, and violence in cities around the county.

At this critical moment in history, John R. Allen and Darrell West look at how polarised discussions on race, ethnicity, religion, immigration and gender stem from years of income inequality, geographic disparities, systemic racism and the rise of digital technology, and propose policy solutions to chart Americans on a path towards national unity and reconciliation.