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Order, Civility and Consequences

Here is an excerpt from an excellent commencement address by Edwin J. Feulner to the 2004 graduating class of Hillsdale College. The message is that consequences and civility are tied. "In short, once people begin disregarding the norms that keep order in a community, both order and community unravel, sometimes with astonishing speed.... When order is visibly restored [by enforcing minor noticeable laws], a signal is sent out: This is a community where behavior does have consequences. If you can’t get away with jumping a turnstile into the subway, you’d better not try armed robbery."

What we’re seeing in the marketplace of ideas today is a disturbing growth of incivility that follows and confirms the broken windows theory. Alas, this breakdown of civil norms is not a failing of either the political left or right exclusively. It spreads across the political spectrum from one end to the other.
A few examples: A liberal writes a book calling Rush Limbaugh a "big fat idiot." A conservative writes a book calling liberals "useful idiots." A liberal writes a book titled The Lies of George W. Bush. A conservative writes a book subtitled "Liberal Lies About the American Right." A liberal publishes a detailed "case for Bush-hatred." A conservative declares, “Even Islamic terrorists don’t hate America like liberals do.”

Those few examples – and unfortunately there are many, many more – come from elites in the marketplace of ideas. All are highly educated people who write nationally syndicated columns, publish best-selling books, and are hot tickets on radio and television talk shows. . . .

Defend your convictions – those virtues – with all the spirit you can. But do it with all the civility that you ought. As you leave this special place, lay your hammer down.

Posted by tim at July 12, 2004 10:28 PM

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