Will Civility Return?

 

Hope is not a satisfactory answer.

The national trend of a decline in politeness and avoidance of insults in public life has been underway for years, well before Donald Trump arrived on the political scene.

Of course, for many, Trump’s coarse manner and general uncouthness brought the subject to the fore.

But the reality is that politics follows the culture, not vice-versa.  So one needs to reach further back.

Was it the internet that fostered mean, harsh comments?  Seemingly, the anonymity of messages encouraged some people to drop the pretense of civility that previously mandated decorum.  Now they could be blunt.  Eventually, as the more aggressive “pushed the envelope”, hiding one’s identity was no longer considered necessary.  Crudeness, nastiness and obscenity online and on TV was not only tolerated but applauded as audacious by the avant garde. 

Political discourse followed suit.

So why should we care?

Language matters.  No one likes to be insulted.  What used to be praised as polite discourse was founded on the principle that disagreements among people should be expressed in polite terms.  In other words, an exchange of contrary views should not aim to offend others.  Don’t make criticizing “personal”.  Of course, such politeness can be merely pretense.  But that’s better received, even if the attitude is not well concealed, than the blatantly hurtful.

Harsh words are not only deeply wounding but the target is likely to reciprocate not only the language used but, more importantly, the disrespect conveyed.

Mutual hatred can’t be far away.

In the political world, we know where that leads.  Look around.  One side views the other as its enemy - not as a foe with whom one respectfully disagrees.  Polarization is a euphemism (another polite term) for the formation of hostile camps.  Members aren’t interested in working together to serve a common purpose; their aim is to destroy the other.

Of course, this sounds like hyperbole.  And, fortunately, most Americans don’t yet think in such dire terms.  But we all know the trends are headed in the wrong direction.

How can the situation be reversed?  The task is not easy, nor is it to be accomplished by a flip of the proverbial switch.  A change in social mores is the only way.  Again, politics follows social views.  Traditional institutions such as religious, education and businesses used to set standards; they seem to do more to undercut than sustain positive examples these days.

In our entertainment-obsessed society, is there an option other than looking to entertainment to make the switch?  A slender hope, indeed.

Where else can we look?

Maybe a Spiritual Awakening like that which spread across America in the 19^th century.

Something must be done.

Is not the return of civility vital to the long-term survival of our democracy?