We Must Not Be Enemies
Restoring America's Civic Tradition
Published on 15. May 2019
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-1-5381-2125-2 (ISBN)
Description
At the end of his first inaugural address, delivered to a nation deeply divided and on the brink of civil war, Abraham Lincoln concluded, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies." Lincoln's words ring true today, especially for a new generation raised on political discourse that consists of vitriolic social media and the echo chambers of polarized news media.
In We Must Not Be Enemies, Michael Austin combines American history, classical theories of democracy, and cognitive psychology to argue that the health of our democracy depends on our ability to disagree about important things while remaining friends. He argues that individual citizens can dramatically improve the quality of our democracy by changing the way that we interact with one another. Each of his main chapters advances a single argument, supported by contemporary evidence and drawing on lessons from American history. The seven arguments at the heart of the book are:
1. We need to learn how to be better friends with people we disagree with.
2. We should disagree more with people we already consider our friends.
3. We should argue for things and not just against things.
4. We have a moral responsibility to try to persuade other people to adopt positions that we consider morally important.
5. We have to understand what constitutes a good argument if we want to do more than shout at people and call them names.
6. We must realize that we are wrong about a lot of things that we think we are right about.
7. We should treat people with charity and kindness, not out of a sense of moral duty (though that's OK too), but because these are good rhetorical strategies in a democratic society.
For anyone disturbed by the increasingly coarse and confrontational tone of too much of our political dialogue, We Must Not Be Enemies provides an essential starting point to restore the values that have provided the foundation for America's tradition of democratic persuasion.
In We Must Not Be Enemies, Michael Austin combines American history, classical theories of democracy, and cognitive psychology to argue that the health of our democracy depends on our ability to disagree about important things while remaining friends. He argues that individual citizens can dramatically improve the quality of our democracy by changing the way that we interact with one another. Each of his main chapters advances a single argument, supported by contemporary evidence and drawing on lessons from American history. The seven arguments at the heart of the book are:
1. We need to learn how to be better friends with people we disagree with.
2. We should disagree more with people we already consider our friends.
3. We should argue for things and not just against things.
4. We have a moral responsibility to try to persuade other people to adopt positions that we consider morally important.
5. We have to understand what constitutes a good argument if we want to do more than shout at people and call them names.
6. We must realize that we are wrong about a lot of things that we think we are right about.
7. We should treat people with charity and kindness, not out of a sense of moral duty (though that's OK too), but because these are good rhetorical strategies in a democratic society.
For anyone disturbed by the increasingly coarse and confrontational tone of too much of our political dialogue, We Must Not Be Enemies provides an essential starting point to restore the values that have provided the foundation for America's tradition of democratic persuasion.
Reviews / Votes
"In this masterful book, Michael Austin refutes the popular idea that today, with its political and social polarization, is an unprecedented moment in history. Far from being unique, this apparently unbridgeable chasm is normal. What is unique, though, is our inability to productively engage with, and argue against, those with whom we disagree. Without this type of argument and engagement, we risk losing everything our democracy has built over the last two and a half centuries. Far from being a doomsday tract, though, We Must Not Be Enemies is an optimistic, hopeful book. Generously illustrated with examples from history and literature, from philosophy and psychology, Austin shows us how we can bridge the ideological gaps we face, and why we must if we want to maintain the democracy we have. We Must Not Be Enemies is essential reading for anybody who wants to understand our democracy or engage in it." -- Samuel D. Brunson, Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Author of God and the IRS: Accommodating Religious Practice in United States Tax Law "As Austin notes, 'One of the foundational assumptions of this book is that human beings can change their minds and their behavior in response to other human beings.' Throughout, we are reminded that democracy is not a default position for societies and that it takes work. He reminds us, through the retelling of significant moments in American history, that democracy is filled with serious disagreements and that we need to find ways to work through those inevitable (and desirable) realities. People shouldn't abandon principles simply to be polite; yet, we do need to see a way forward through uncomfortable conversations. This book will be useful to anyone concerned about the state of our civic life and how they might actually do something to alter its course in a constructive way. I highly recommend it for those looking to be reminded of where we've come from as well as to those who have never thought about public discourse, civic life, or how to be more than simply an observer to democracy. Indeed, we need many more people engaging across difference and maybe, just maybe, changing their minds in the process." -- Timothy J. Shaffer, Kansas State University "Aristotle suggested that citizenship is a form of friendship. But what happens when civic comity shatters and citizens begin to view one another as enemies? The United States has entered a period in which this appears to be happening, with the country divided, and becoming more divided every year. How did we get here? And how might we right our course? Michael Austin is a thoughtful and considerate guide to these crucially important questions. America would be better off if we followed his lead and listened to his counsel." -- Damon Linker, senior correspondent, The WeekMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Product notice
With dust jacket
Illustrations
1 BW Illustrations, 3 Tables
Dimensions
Height: 164 mm
Width: 236 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
510 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-2125-2 (9781538121252)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2019
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield
€36.99
Available for download
E-Book
05/2019
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield
€36.99
Available for download
Person
Michael Austin is a former Professor of English who currently serves as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Evansville in Indiana. He is the author of three previous books written for non-academic and academic audiences.