Questions to Ask About Politics
Thoughtful questions to engage in meaningful political discussions, understand different perspectives, and explore complex policy issues with respect and open-mindedness.
1What political issue are you most passionate about, and why?
Click to see why this works
What political issue are you most passionate about, and why?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Opens up discussion about their core values and priorities, helping you understand what drives their political engagement.
2How do you stay informed about current political events?
Click to see why this works
How do you stay informed about current political events?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their information sources and media consumption habits, helping you understand their perspective and potential biases.
3What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our democracy today?
Click to see why this works
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our democracy today?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Encourages reflection on systemic issues and helps identify areas where they see the most pressing problems.
4How do you think we can bridge political divides in our society?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we can bridge political divides in our society?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Promotes constructive thinking about solutions and shows their willingness to engage across ideological differences.
5What role do you think young people should play in politics?
Click to see why this works
What role do you think young people should play in politics?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores their views on civic engagement and generational perspectives on political participation.
6How has your political perspective changed over time?
Click to see why this works
How has your political perspective changed over time?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their intellectual growth and openness to evolving viewpoints, showing their capacity for reflection.
7What do you think about the influence of money in politics?
Click to see why this works
What do you think about the influence of money in politics?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores their views on campaign finance and the role of economic power in democratic processes.
8How do you think technology is changing politics and democracy?
Click to see why this works
How do you think technology is changing politics and democracy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Examines their understanding of modern challenges like social media, misinformation, and digital governance.
9What's your view on the balance between individual rights and collective good?
Click to see why this works
What's your view on the balance between individual rights and collective good?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores fundamental philosophical questions about the role of government and individual liberty.
10How do you think we should address climate change from a policy perspective?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we should address climate change from a policy perspective?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Tests their approach to complex, long-term challenges that require both scientific understanding and political will.
11What do you think about the role of the media in shaping political opinion?
Click to see why this works
What do you think about the role of the media in shaping political opinion?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Examines their media literacy and understanding of how information influences political views.
12How do you think we can make government more transparent and accountable?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we can make government more transparent and accountable?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores their ideas about democratic reform and institutional trust.
13What's your perspective on international relations and global cooperation?
Click to see why this works
What's your perspective on international relations and global cooperation?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their understanding of global challenges and their approach to international diplomacy.
14How do you think we should address economic inequality?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we should address economic inequality?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Tests their understanding of economic policy and their views on social justice and economic fairness.
15What do you think about the role of education in preparing citizens for democracy?
Click to see why this works
What do you think about the role of education in preparing citizens for democracy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores their views on civic education and the importance of informed citizenship.
16How do you think we can encourage more people to participate in the political process?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we can encourage more people to participate in the political process?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their commitment to democratic participation and their ideas for increasing civic engagement.
17What's your view on the balance between security and civil liberties?
Click to see why this works
What's your view on the balance between security and civil liberties?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Examines their approach to complex trade-offs between safety and freedom in democratic societies.
18How do you think we should handle political disagreements in our personal relationships?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we should handle political disagreements in our personal relationships?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Explores their approach to maintaining relationships across political differences, showing emotional intelligence.
19What do you think is the most important quality in a political leader?
Click to see why this works
What do you think is the most important quality in a political leader?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their values and expectations for leadership, showing what they prioritize in governance.
20How do you think we can create a more inclusive and representative democracy?
Click to see why this works
How do you think we can create a more inclusive and representative democracy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Tests their understanding of democratic principles and their commitment to equity and representation.
Navigating Political Conversations with Respect
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Listen with Genuine Curiosity
Approach political discussions with a desire to understand, not to convince. Ask follow-up questions to deepen your understanding of their perspective.
Focus on Values, Not Positions
Explore the underlying values and concerns that drive political positions rather than just debating specific policy stances.
Acknowledge Complexity
Recognize that political issues are complex and rarely have simple solutions. Show respect for the difficulty of governance and policy-making.
Question Sequences
The Values Exploration Sequence
The Democratic Engagement Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Make It Personal
Focus on ideas and policies, not personal attacks. Political disagreements don't have to become personal conflicts.
Avoid Gotcha Questions
Don't ask questions designed to trap or embarrass. Focus on genuine curiosity and understanding.
Don't Assume Bad Faith
Assume the other person has good intentions, even if you disagree with their conclusions. Most people want what's best for society.