The Value and Challenge of Compromise

Issue 148, February 22, 2024

How many times did your parents tell you to, “Pick your battle.” And then in the next breath say, “Never compromise your values.” That ambiguity could be confusing to a child, but is mind-bending to an adult navigating our complex, polarized society. Increasingly public opinion is becoming less compromising, leaving common ground hard to find.

Compromise: Positive or Negative?

In its most basic sense, a compromise can be understood as a form of agreement that has the purpose of accommodating conflicting views or claims, according to Friderike Spang, senior researcher at the University of Lausanne. Dictionary.com sets up compromise with a more negative bias: concession to something derogatory or prejudicial. Consider concession when one doesn’t want to confront or avoid an argument or upset a partner, family member, friend, or supervisor. Concessions don’t rock the boat.

Taking a more positive position, EverydaySpeech.com states “Compromise can be defined as fi…