Civil discourse? What? Let’s talk about controversies – the Iran war, immigration, the farm bill, spying on Americans, etc. Those are more dynamic and timely topics, right?
But I found myself Tuesday night at Millsaps College listening to President Dr. Frank Neville and Assistant Professor of Government and Politics Dr. Eric Schmidt hold forth on “Major Topics: Reflections on the American Experiment at 250 Years of Age.” This year we do celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Yes, we probably ought to pay attention to our history during a year like this. So, okay, I went.
The two formed a distinctive duo – Neville, the former professional diplomat, Schmidt the scholarly researcher. Yet, their introductory comments were consonant. The American Experiment – our unique undertaking to establish a democratic republic – will not actually be 250 years old until 2038 since the Constitution was signed in 1788. They so noted, then discussed the radical nature of our republic – the balance of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the distribution of power through federalism, and the resulting system of checks and balances.
All this, they explained, occurred in the frame of civil discourse – the open, respectful exchange of ideas aimed at understanding, problem-solving, and promoting the public good.
Oh, they pointed out, there were many strong and differing opinions and vehement arguments among the founding fathers. But their discourse was open, mostly respectful, and aimed at a public good – the formation of a new type of government dedicated to liberty.
Neville stressed that their willingness to negotiate and compromise made our new nation possible. And their focus on liberty made possible the free flow of capital, people, and ideas – keys to America’s ascendancy.
Schmidt, co-author of The Political Dynamics of Partisan Polarization, delved into the rise of mass partisanship and the impact that has had on the functioning of our systems of governance.
Both speakers seemed optimistic that at some point the worm will turn and America’s descent into partisan polarization will end. Both emphasized that it will take civil discourse to steady the pendulum from swinging wildly back and forth between inflexible conservative and obstinate liberal governing coalitions.
Schmidt, coordinator of the Millsaps Civil Discourse Project, also spoke of the importance of teaching students to negotiate and practice civil discourse amidst today’s polarized, emotionally charged, and often hostile discourse. He described how he has students take sides on major political issues, research the issues, then engage in meaningful dialogue to negotiate solutions.
Neville said this was the first forum in a series to be held at Millsaps.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace”– Colossians 4:6.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from North Jackson.
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Hmmm...Aaron Burr shot Alexander Hamilton after years of "heated rhetoric," amongst other "civil discourses," so maybe Billy and the Millsaps folks aren't as up on history as they might tell themselves. To be fair, these guys, like many other similar folks past, present, and future, were more intelligent, better-read, better-educated, and more erudite than the vast majority of "discoursers" today, but that's the medium not the message.
Western Civilization has been brainwashed into a "suicidal civility" where they are now terrified of simply being called names - and they are letting the hordes just walk right in to their countries and simply take over because too many "Christians" are afraid of enforcing the Old Testament laws as was intended.
Whereas America's Founders compromised on Central power vs Federalism, there is no "compromise" in Freedom vs IslaMarxism, which latter hybrid faction, started by Obama, rules the Left. What is half of a Mamdani? Both his halves are evil and inhuman.
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