Nasty Politics? Puhleeze! Get A Historic Grip.
By William Schambra
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1021/p09s01-coop.html
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In the author’s view, the 2004 campaigns were no more than “ordinarily nasty.” Do you think the “nastiness” surrounding our last national election was greater, less, or about the same as in previous ones?
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What effects do you think the “nastiness” had on the public, the political process, or the outcome of the election? On you? If these effects concern you, does the author’s analysis of US political history reduce some of your concerns about current levels of incivility in the political and civic arena? If it does, why? If not, why not?
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What are your assumptions and beliefs about what it is realistic to expect of “the everyday person” when it comes to public life? How are your views on this subject about this similar to and different from those of the author? What provides the foundation of your views?
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In your view, what are some of the institutions, leaders, groups, processes, practices, traditions, values, forces, etc. that are promoting “some semblance of the common good” at this point in our history?
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This article raises the question of how our social status colors our perceptions of and concerns about incivility. How do you think your socio-economic position in US society may color the nature and degree of your concern about levels of current public incivility? Do you think you are more or less concerned than most people? What is at the heart of your concern or lack of concern?
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The author asserts that “only in the eyes of certain elites is our politics today more than ordinarily nasty.” Who do you think are the “certain elites” that the author refers to?
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If you are part of an “elite,” do you know people unlikely to fit the author’s definition of those who are concerned about the current levels of incivility? Who are they and what is the source of their concern?
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Do you agree that “deliberative democrats” and others who express concern about the quality of political life invariably propose reforms that augment their influence? Why?
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What questions does this article raise for you? If William Schambra were here, what question would you ask him to deepen your understanding of his views?
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