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Civility and Democracy in America

Civility and Democracy in America

A Reasonable Understanding

Edited by Cornell W. Clayton and Richard Elgar

by Peter Bhatia, Paul Boyer, Cheryl Oestreicher, Thomas Christiano, Joshua Cohen, Russell J. Dalton, Edward A. Feiner and Theodore L. Glasser

Published by: WSU Press

Imprint: WSU Press

192 Pages, 152.00 × 229.00 × 11.00 mm

Paperback
9780874223125
Published: September 2012

£19.99

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Description
Contents
Authors

A true democracy sanctions the challenge of deeply held values and accepted societal standards, but in the United States today, some members of the political arena have abandoned respectful communication. Instead, contentious political discourse stalls Congress and, at times, erupts into violence. Negative personal attacks and outrageous character assassinations replace reasoned arguments and intelligent debate. Yet incivility has existed in various forms throughout American history, often preceding positive change.

In March 2011, Washington State University hosted one of four major conferences held across the country. The purpose was to initiate discussion about the role of civility in American democracy. Leading scholars from a variety of disciplines participated, concentrating on five distinctive perspectives: history, religion, philosophy, art and architecture, and media. Comprised of 23 papers presented at the conference, Civility and Democracy in America offers insight from these seasoned experts.

Foley Institute Sponsorship

Foreword-Cornell W. Clayton and Richard Elgar

I. History

Introduction: Historical Perspectives on the Role of Civility in American Democracy-Cornell W. Clayton
The Paradox of Civility-Fredrik Logevall
What Isn't Nice? Civility and Social Movements-Michael Kazin
Civil Rights, Civility, and Disruption-Thomas J. Sugrue

II. Religion

Introduction: Faith in Religion, Civility, and Democracy-Matthew Avery Sutton
Religion's Role in Contestations over American Civility-Amanda Porterfield
Civility, Religion, and American Democracy: Some Cautionary Reflections
Paul Boyer
Religious Pluralism and Civility-Wade Clark Roof

III. Architecture

Introduction: Architecture and Civility-Ayad Rahmani
Shared Difference: Citizenship and Civility in American Architecture and Urbanism-Alan J. Plattus
Civility and Architectural Propriety-Witold Rybczynski
On Democracy and Civility in American Architecture-Joan Ockman
Public Buildings: Civility and Democracy-Edward A. Feiner

IV. Philosophy and Ethics

Introduction: Philosophy and Ethics Themes-Ann Levey
What Is Civility and How Does It Relate to Core Democratic Values?-Thomas Christiano
Reflections on Civility-Joshua Cohen
The Circumstances of Civility-Brian Leiter

V. Communication and Media

Introduction: Media and Civility in Context-Lawrence Pintak
We Are Guests in Our Readers' Homes-Peter Bhatia
Civility, Democracy, and the Mass Media-Russell J. Dalton
News, Inclusion, and the Challenge of Civility-Theodore L. Glasser
The Dangerous Amalgam of Modern Political Discourse-Dietram A. Scheufele

Contributors

Cornell W. Clayton is the director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, where he also serves as the Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government. He has published widely in the areas of American politics, judicial politics, and constitutional law.

Richard Elgar is the assistant director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science at Washington State University.