Echoes of America

What makes a good society?

A good society relies on the goodness of its people, their values, and the courage to live into those values.  Among the basic ingredients of such goodness are civility, acting with compassion, valuing education, practicing patience, being a good neighbor, living with integrity and ideals, and maintaining a healthy curiosity.  The relationship between the person and society is a reciprocal one.  Good people make a good society and good society develops good people.  Aristotle asserted that good people are good citizens and that the state’s true duty lies in fostering goodness among its people.  In our American experiment, these values have shaped and been shaped by a nation of freedom and enslavement, innovation and stagnation, sublime justice and cruel injustice, and have also steered our people through the perennial trials of dispute, hardship, general governance, and treasured progress. Ours has not been a perfect example of ideal civil society, but it certainly has been one of persistent effort as we steer our ship of state.  At least thus far.  We lately seem to have gone way off course.

We need to re-gather and nurture the ingredients of good society to correct our course.

Civility as the bedrock of American discourse

Civility is more than politeness; it is the willingness to engage in respectful and real dialogue even amid profound disagreements. From the debates in the early halls of Congress to the heated discussions during the Civil Rights Movement, this sort of civility has tended to save us from ourselves.  It has been the lifeblood of American democracy. In the founding era, figures such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson embodied a spirit of mutual respect despite profound ideological differences. This commitment to civility enabled the crafting of a constitutional framework that balanced centralized governance with individual liberties – a blueprint that would influence democracies around the world.

Civility is vital and when it is in low supply, we suffer for its lack.  In moments of American national crisis, whether during times of war or domestic unrest, the ability of people to engage respectfully with one another has been paramount.  Respectful dialogue laid the groundwork for incremental change, reflecting the idea that by nurturing good character and empathy, society can overcome even the deepest divisions. Our intercourse lately has been one filled with anger and disdain, pointing fingers and rising voices.  This lays civility on its side and the respect needed for that incremental and significant change in society is thus stifled.

Compassion: The heart of democratic progress

Every significant stride in American history has been marked by an underlying current of compassion. Compassion transforms abstract political rhetoric into tangible acts of social reform. It is the driving force behind policies that seek to alleviate suffering, reduce inequality, and ensure that every citizen is afforded a fair opportunity to thrive. The welfare programs initiated during the New Deal era and the subsequent social legislation aimed at protecting the vulnerable underscore how compassion can catalyze systemic change. 

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt.

American compassion is perhaps most poignantly exhibited in response to crises. Whether it was the outpouring of aid during the Great Depression or the community mobilizations following natural disasters, compassion has manifested in countless acts of solidarity that underscore the nation’s identity. This is a crucial component of American society – a demonstration that the heart of a democracy beats strongest when all people care for one another.

Capitalism is not in essence hard-hearted. We need not jettison compassion when we allow for the competition that brings about innovation and economic growth.  A well-regulated capitalist program is an engine of general prosperity.  But we are in dangerous waters when the acquisition of individual wealth, tied to a disregard of our collective well-being, becomes the lodestar setting our course.  The current presidential administration is acting without a shred of compassion and apparently has its sights set only on individual wealth accumulation and the power that is partnered with it.  Heartless dismantling of our federal and social structures will not lead to a good end.

Education: Ideals in action through informed participation

Electing wise and honest representatives to prudently run the government requires an informed attentiveness.  American democratic government is grounded in the belief that every citizen should have the opportunity to learn and grow. The value of education in the United States has deep roots; the establishment of institutions of higher learning, from colonial colleges to modern universities, reflects a societal commitment to knowledge as a foundation of democracy. Education empowers citizens to think critically about policies, question authority when necessary, and participate fully in civic life.  

The American Revolution itself was driven by Enlightenment ideals that prized education and reason. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were products of an intellectual ferment that held that well-informed citizens could and should govern themselves. In more recent times, the Civil Rights Movement underscored the role of education in fostering social change. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. relied on the moral sophistication and relentless inquiry that a well-educated populace brings. Thus, education is not simply an accumulation of facts but a virtuous cycle that reinforces the democratic framework through enlightened participation.

James McHenry was a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention and he maintained a journal of their process.  On his page of the last day of the convention, September 18, 1787, he wrote that a woman asked Benjamin Franklin (known by many as “Dr. Franklin”), as he left the building, “Well, Doctor, what have we got a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin’s answer? 

“A republic, if you can keep it.”  Keeping a republic, with the need of an educated and informed populace, was going to be difficult – and it has been.

Keeping a population satisfied with generally poor education makes for an easy insertion of autocracy.  Giving the people “bread and circuses” is, after all, an old practice to keep people entertained and fed so that they remain politically passive.  It is not coincidence that one of the first targets of the current president for dismantlement is the Department of Education.

Patience in pursuit of a more perfect union

True patience is a balm to anger and resentment.  The evolution of American society has rarely followed a linear path. Patience has been and remains an important virtue, enabling change to occur gradually and reinforcing the importance of long-term progress over immediate gratification. The drafting, ratification, and continued amendments of and to the United States Constitution is a prime historical example.  Despite the relatively short time the Constitutional Convention took to meet and draw its famous document, the Constitution remains a dynamic instrument with many compromises, Supreme Court interpretations, debates, and prolonged negotiations necessary over the course of our history to shape the governance model now in place.

This patience is also evident in the historical progress of civil rights. Change often required years – even decades – of peaceful protest, legal challenges, and sustained advocacy. The persistence of marginalized groups, coupled with the reluctant but gradual acknowledgment by the state and federal government of their rights, epitomizes the idea that patience accompanied by steadfast values can yield transformative change. In the American context, patience is not resignation but a strategic virtue that fuels resilience in the face of systemic challenges.

Community: The tapestry of American life

The idea of community in this context is a recognition that the nation is not built solely on individual achievement but on collective effort. From frontier communities to bustling urban centers, the United States has thrived on the spirit of community.  Early settlers depended on one another to survive and develop the communal infrastructures that eventually blossomed into the modern population centers, rural and urban, of today. This sense of interdependence is integral to American society; it is the belief that a unified and diverse community can overcome adversity and forge a future based on shared values.

Moreover, the strength of American communities has been particularly evident in times of national crisis. Whether during natural disasters, economic downturns, or periods of social upheaval, local initiatives often led the charge in rallying support for those in need. This culture of community underscores that democracy is not simply a governmental structure but a network of relationships where each person’s commitment to one another reinforces the democratic fabric.

Being a good neighbor is living with the knowledge that we are all in this circumstance together.  We must not step on each other to make our way to “the top,” but instead recognize that together we stand on the shoulders of our forebears.

Ideals: Guiding lights in the American experiment

Core ideals such as liberty, justice, and equality have served as the moral compass throughout American history. These ideals are enshrined in foundational documents and have been a rallying cry for reform and progress. They are not static concepts but evolving benchmarks that challenge citizens and leaders alike to rise above narrow interests. The American Civil War, for instance, was fought over slavery, in the interpretation and application of the ideal of equality; its resolution marked a significant step towards a more inclusive society – not perfect but on its way.

A good American society is built on the idea that the nation’s distinctive commitment to these ideals has allowed it to serve until now as a beacon of hope worldwide. Yet, the enduring quest for these ideals also reminds citizens that maintaining a democracy requires constant vigilance. Ideals are maintained not by chance but by an ongoing, active engagement in public life where policies and practices are continually measured against the high standards set by ourselves and the nation’s founders and societal leaders.  Living into our ideals takes courage.  “Integrity” means that your ideals and values are “integrated” with your behavior and action.  To live and act consistently with those ideals is to have and exhibit integrity.  Integrity of ideals is keenly needed now.

Curiosity: The catalyst for progress and innovation

Ted Lasso, of television series fame, had a good motto:  “Be curious, not judgmental.”  Curiosity has been the spark that ignited many transformative moments in American history. The willingness to question the status quo has fueled scientific innovation, cultural renaissance, and political reform. From the early scientific inquiries during the Age of Enlightenment to the rapid technological advancements in the modern era, American society has celebrated curiosity as a key driver of progress.

This inquisitive spirit is also at the core of political reinvention. Dynamic debates in American institutions are fueled by individuals who dare to question established norms and explore better ways to structure society. In doing so, citizens have continuously pushed the boundaries of what democracy can look like. 

Curiosity about the lives, thoughts, culture, religion, and lives of others is the foundation of the appreciation and furtherance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion – the base ideals that form the acronym “DEI.”  What about this curiosity, equitable opportunity, and inclusion of all is so repulsive?  Judging (and more often mis-judging) others rather than looking with true and charitable curiosity is at the heart of that repulsion.

The legacy of American exceptionalism, therefore, is not only defined by its achievements but also by its propensity to continually reinvent itself through a collective, curious spirit.

Good American society

The interplay of civility, compassion, education, patience, community, ideals, and curiosity has not only defined American democratic society but has also bolstered its claim to exceptionalism. The historical journey of the United States—all its struggles, compromises, and triumphs—has been a continual exercise in trying to make its citizens better people and its people better citizens, echoing Aristotle’s assertion about the state’s true duty.  American history is a rich tapestry woven with these values.

From the philosophical debates of the Enlightenment, to the perseverance and resilience in the face of divisive internal conflicts, every chapter in America’s story testifies to the power of nurturing a democratic society rooted in virtue and inclusiveness.  American society, despite its complexities and challenges, represents an ongoing commitment to evolving these ideals, ensuring they adapt to new realities and continue to inspire people to strive for a more perfect union.

In the end, the maintenance and health of American democracy and its claim to exceptionalism rest on these enduring values. They are not relics of a bygone era but living, evolving principles to mobilize all Americans, new and old, to tackle the challenges we face today.  A good and civil society depends on our integrity, courage, and action.