The Pulse: Foundation addresses political polarization

Reducing global poverty. Limiting the risk of climate change. Improving education. Lofty goals for what are universally recognized as weighty problems. And now, one of the world's most substantial foundations has added a new scourge to be toppled: political polarization.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, with roughly $9 billion in assets, has launched the Madison Initiative, a $50 million effort to mobilize support for changes that can bring the spirit of negotiation and compromise both to Congress and to the larger political society.

"Reflecting its Madisonian roots, this initiative...