Civility Lost

The United States is undergoing serious splintering that threatens, not only relationships, but also politics and society as a whole. Divisions are emphasized. Disagreements turn into name-calling and castigating. Issues are sharply painted in right or wrong, ethical and unethical, intelligent or unenlightened colors. The country’s motto is E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. Philosophy and principle, not force or fear, unite the country through ideals that celebrate the sovereignty and authority of all citizens.Education has an essential role. An educated citizenry is essential to understand issues and engage in a rational and civil conversation about how to address them. Education must explore civil dialogue to bring people together and engage constructively about democratic principles and values. This book explores principles and expectations for a democratic society, and how differences can be approached civilly to explore and define solutions. Citizens must engage in respectful conversations to build greater understanding. Differences are inevitable in democratic republic by its very nature. Civility is essential for citizens to engage in self-government.

It has been about three full decades since courtesy and politeness have been the rule and not the exception in the halls of Congress. Partly this is due to the technological advances in social media that permit anonymous slanders, misrepresentations, and false information to flourish in our national discourse. Partly it is due to the political and cultural radicalization of the general populace. Partly it is due to the overwhelming influence of money and greed as a corrupting factor in our politics, our media, and in our economics. And partly it is due to the abolition of Civics classes in our school system curriculums. In Civility Lost: The Media, Politics, and Education, these factors and more are identified, along with the principles that are fundamentally necessary for the health and continuance of a democracy . . . unreservedly recommended.", "A thought-provoking read, ‘Civility Lost’ tracks the growing changes in the political, education and media landscapes that are underway in our country. George Goens is spot on when he writes, ‘The United States has become the most prominent country in the world, due in part, to the ability, creativity and endurance of citizens, the vast majority of whom have been educated in public schools.’ Each chapter explores key trends in our society that would gauge high interest from college-aged students to seasoned corporate professionals. I recommend this book.", “Dr. George Goens has long been known in Connecticut and across the country as a deep, reflective thinker on many of the educational and societal issues we face. His new book continues his wrestling with big ideas, this time on civility, education and the future of our nation. There are few issues more pertinent than those as our nation appears to have entered a time of boorish, hostile partisanship which permeates all of our institutions and infects us at all levels of government. In my role, I know how important respect, empathy and ‘disagreeing without being disagreeable’ is.”, “George Goens resets the debate from chaos, calamity, and conflict to calm, measured discourse - sound bites back to substance.  This is a clear call for the return to educated, civic responsibility.” , “Today’s society is like opening up a junk drawer causing one to jump back in utter dismay at the jumbled mess of anger, blaming, fear, cynicism, apathy, and self-righteousness spilling forth. We the people have an obligation to clean up our mess, restore orderliness, throw out bad habits, and take an active role in respecting ourselves and our neighbors. Civility Lost helps one to understand how and why we got to where we are and guides us to understand that we have the power to turn our junk drawer into a nurturing society for all citizens.”

George A. Goens. Ph.D. served at all levels of education as a teacher, administrator, superintendent, as well as an associate professor in a graduate program. He has authored six books and co-authored four others.