PBP in politics: from theory to parliamentary practice

Fundacja Dobre Państwo • January 2, 2026 • 🇵🇱 Polski

Introduction

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is not a method for the faint of heart, but rather interaction engineering. Developed by Marshall B. Rosenberg, a student of Carl Rogers, it aims to shift perspective from automatic judgments to concrete data: observations, feelings, needs, and requests. It's a tool for conflict resolution, based on an empathetic effort to see the world through another's eyes, rather than one's own reflection in them. This article explains the foundations of NVC and its surprising effectiveness in politics.

NVC: Foundations of Empathetic Communication

The foundation of NVC is the OFNR model: Observation, Feeling, Need, Request. Key is distinguishing observation from evaluation. The statement "he is always late" is an evaluation; an observation would be: "this week he was late twice." Such precision lays the groundwork for dialogue, avoiding a defensive stance from the interlocutor. NVC teaches that behind every, even aggressive, communication lies an unmet, universal need (e.g., for safety, recognition, influence). Recognizing it is key to understanding. However, the foundation is self-empathy – the ability to empathetically listen to oneself, so that the inner critic does not drown out curiosity towards others.

Scientific Basis and Advanced Tools of NVC

NVC redefines difficult emotions. Anger is not an accusation, but an alarm signal indicating a loss of connection with one's own needs. This method finds support in neurophysiology; Polyvagal Theory confirms that a sense of safety is a prerequisite for readiness to engage in dialogue. NVC also distinguishes a request from a demand – a request grants the right to refuse without punishment, and a "no" response is treated as a "yes" to another important need. The method allows for the use of protective force (to prevent harm), but rejects violence (whose aim is punishment). Daily practice can begin with simple exercises, such as transforming evaluations into observations.

NVC in Politics: The Effectiveness of a "Soft" Tool

In politics, an arena of sharp disputes, NVC proves to be a surprisingly robust tool. It allows for de-escalation of tension and builds credibility. In coalition negotiations, instead of demanding "we must have this ministry," a politician can say: "we need real influence over education to maintain consistency with our program." This shifts the discussion from a struggle for positions to the level of values. In a media crisis, instead of attacking journalists, a politician can acknowledge public emotions: "I understand the anger and fear of citizens, because transparency is important to me." Such an attitude reduces aggression and demonstrates responsibility, not weakness.

Conclusion

In politics, language is often a form of violence. Translating it into needs for influence, recognition, or safety opens the door to negotiations. If parliamentary committees applied NVC, there would be fewer late-night brawls and more sensible decisions. Politicians might not become angels, but they would stop looking like gladiators fighting in an arena solely for the applause of their tribes.

📄 Full analysis available in PDF

Summary

Nonviolent Communication (NVC), described by Marshall B. Rosenberg as "the language of life," is a powerful tool for managing tension and conflict. It is not "soft" psychology, but rather a precise engineering of interaction that requires disciplined attention. NVC teaches how to transform automatic evaluations and labels into concrete observations, feelings, needs, and requests. This article explores the theoretical foundations of NVC, including the concepts of Rosenberg and Carl Rogers, the role of empathy, and the O-U-P-P model. It also presents practical applications of NVC in everyday conflicts, techniques for de-escalation, and regaining agency. A key aspect is the analysis of the possibilities of implementing NVC in parliamentary settings, which can contribute to building cooperation and more effective political dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and who is it for?

PBP, or Rosenberg's "language of life," is a tool for working with tension and conflict, shifting the focus from judgments to live data. It is interaction engineering, requiring disciplined attention, not "soft" psychology.

How is empathy understood in the context of PBP and humanistic psychology?

Empathy in PBP is a conscious effort to enter the subjective world of another person without imposing one's own mirror. It is a deliberate attention to another's experience, recognized in the four dimensions of O-U-P-P.

What is the O-U-P-P model in communication?

The O-U-P-P model consists of Observations (non-judgmental facts), Feelings (what arises internally), Needs (values), and Requests (specific actions). Its foundation is the ability to observe without judgment, which creates a stable foundation for conversation.

How does PBP approach the expression of anger and internal self-judgments?

From the perspective of PBP, anger is a signal of a loss of contact with one's own needs, not an indictment. It's worth translating internal self-assessments into the language of needs, which shifts the source of agency from fear to the will to satisfy values.

Does PBP have any application in politics and how can it help de-escalate parliamentary conflicts?

Despite apparent differences, PBP can be a key tool for de-escalation in politics, where unmet needs breed judgment. Empathetic paraphrasing and naming needs instead of stigmatizing them can open up space for honest conversation and cooperation in parliament.

Is Nonviolent Communication based on science?

Although not a sterile experimental protocol, PBP aligns well with knowledge about affect regulation, social learning, and the role of safety. It is supported by pedagogy, organization, and neuroscience, including polyvagal theory.