A recent article in The Washington Times, Victor David Hanson puts the question slightly differently, but no less alarmingly. The article, entitled “Are we on the verge of civil war?” provides no clear answer. But it does provide a neat summary of the many forces driving political polarization in the United States (and probably elsewhere). Reading the short piece is useful as a reminder–in case one was needed–of the many and varied challenges facing those who, like those of us at EnCiv, are committed to greater civility and a more thoughtful citizenry.
The solution? –According to Hanson, “The answer lies within each of us. Every day we will either treat each other as fellow Americans, with far more uniting than dividing us, or we will continue on the present path that eventually ends in something like a hate-filled Iraq, Rwanda, or the Balkans.” Given all the forces Hanson describes channeling us along that path, most of us are going to need help and encouragement to pursue a different one. Providing that help and encouragement–by enabling constructive civic interaction–is as good a description of the EnCiv mission as I can think of.
