Un-Civil Discourse, #1

I've been pondering the question of whether the vitriolic debate today over healthcare today is unprecedented or just another example of the rough-and-tumble nature of politics, played out in the 24-7 news cycle. Here, Tom Friedman makes the case that things have ratcheted up to a new and dangerous level. The precedent he cites is Israel shortly before Rabin's assassination.

The tenor of today's debate is surely disturbing, but our political history also includes such events as a sitting a Vice President killing a former cabinet member in a duel and a Senator being caned nearly to death while sitting at his senate desk. I'd like to know more and hear thoughts about whether today's un-civil debate is more-of-the same or has taken things to a whole new level as Friedman suggests.

If one does believe that we have reached new proportions of un-civility, it would seem to be another argument for the importance of working on strengthening our civic fabric. At the time Burr was dueling with Hamilton, there were places in local communities, extolled by de Tocqueville, for people of different backgrounds and opinions to associate and discuss their views. These local mediating structures nurtured bonds of social capital that perhaps served as a counterweight contentious issues of debate.

As I said, I'm interested in exploring further how (un)civil discourse has changed over time. But for now I'd at least put forth the hypothesis that strengthening our local social capital could help improve the dialog over the important issues we face today.