Democracy requires parties and persons who listen
respectfully to one another and who seek mutual understanding. Democracy
requires citizens that know and act upon the political and social world around
them in the light of that knowledge. Democracy requires citizens that care for
and commit to the public good. In short, democracy requires civility,
intelligence, and passion. Separate these requirements from each other and they
become destructive of person and place and society. And yet, this seems to be
what is happening in what may be called a time of fragmentation, anger, and
distrust. What then is to be done? Thus, my reflection on the current scene, on
the 99% and the 1%.
Dr.
Howard B. Radest is Dean Emeritus of The Humanist Institute and a member of the
National Council of Ethical Culture Leaders. He is a consulting member
[emeritus] of the SC Medical Association Ethics Committee. He is consultant to
the Center for Preparedness, School of
Public Health, University of South
Carolina and a former member of the Board of the
Association for Moral Education.
Democracy requires parties and persons who listen respectfully to one another and who seek mutual understanding. Democracy requires citizens that know and act upon the political and social world around them in the light of that knowledge. Democracy requires citizens that care for and commit to the public good. In short, democracy requires civility, intelligence, and passion. Separate these requirements from each other and they become destructive of person and place and society. And yet, this seems to be what is happening in what may be called a time of fragmentation, anger, and distrust. What then is to be done? Thus, my reflection on the current scene, on the 99% and the 1%.
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Dr. Howard B. Radest is Dean Emeritus of The Humanist Institute and a member of the National Council of Ethical Culture Leaders. He is a consulting member [emeritus] of the SC Medical Association Ethics Committee. He is consultant to the Center for Preparedness, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina and a former member of the Board of the Association for Moral Education.
