Ex 2-3: Our Political Situation
- Historical summary
- A single ideological “left versus right” politics frame emerged after 1964.
- In 1995 Gingrich demonstrated that polarization is effective and good for incumbent politicians.
- Polarization is a self-reinforcing process. Consider the Irish Troubles or the Middle East.
- Politics, media and society also interact to grow polarization.
- Religion and identity have merged with politics, making it more ideological and polarized.
- The historical countervailing forces of the mainstream media, self-interested political parties, regional elites, the responsibility of noblesse oblige, business elites, religious elites, intellectuals, thought leaders, university presidents, military leaders, state leaders, global leaders, local politicians, civic group leaders, teachers’ unions, League of Women Voters, ABA and scouts have not found their moderating voice in the current media environment.
- The media facilitates polarization for profit.
- The Republican party moved right and then further right.
- The Democratic party “occupied the center” with Clinton and Obama, but this did not satisfy its further left supporters, and it convinced many Republicans that all Democrats are really “radical socialists”. The party has not found a new framework to effectively compete with Trump’s hybrid conservative/populist frame and policies.
- A wide variety of groups have attempted to reframe the center as a good political place to live. None have yet succeeded.
- More details on polarization.
- The classic liberal model of an independent government system of checks and balances, legal, based on rights alone, is inadequate as the background Western Civilization culture fades. The lack of agreement on a set of core values, morality and character undermines civic duty and Civility.
- The “Therapeutic Society” of personally optimizing individuals boosts the importance of identity. Politics and religion merge making politics more divisive. Politics and identity merge, making it more important than class, section, interests, individual policies, leaders, leadership character or political results. Individuals want their identity to be affirmed. When it is not, they are upset. They are subject to political manipulation.
- Current politics remain polarized.
- Some political differences are unavoidable. People are born with 9 political intuitions that develop into strong political beliefs. They tend to cluster as left versus right. This is OK. Civility does not promise agreement. It aims to help us to see the differences and make choices based on those real-world facts.
- The 7 Civility values can be used to support less polarized politics (day 3).
- Civility says try hard to be nonpartisan and to call out anyone who does not practice Civility.
- The Civility projects don’t prioritize “fixing” politics because this can undermine the whole effort. Yet, Civility is not opposed to supporting nonpartisan “solutions”.
- There are many interactions between the 6 root causes of our cultural challenges and our politics. Steps that support progress on the 6 root causes will help us to improve our political participation, expectations, candidates and results. Steps to reduce skepticism and insecurity will directly improve politics. Steps to rebalance individualism and community will help us to find better political solutions to the most difficult issues.
Summary
Our political situation is not good. Polarization is strong at a time when we need to improve our abilities to identify the common good, compromise, change structures and rebuild trust in our institutions and neighbors. Civility practiced at home, church, work and play can help us to improve our political influence and reclaim our political parties from politicians and extreme elements who do not represent the common good.
Good News 
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