Why Democracy Needs Moral Truths

The public understands weakening morality as a behavior that is increasingly uncivil. That is, behavior that reflects a rejection of legitimate authority and a lack of respect for others . Neighbors not being neighborly. Children disrespecting adults. Declining loyalty between employers and employees. The absence of common courtesy, such as indifference from retail clerks or being treated like a number by impersonal bureaucracies. Drivers who menace and gesture at other drivers. In general, people who tend to push other people aside looking out only for themselves.

Nearly 90 percent of the public believes that this type of incivility is a serious national problem. The publication presents 41 recommendations and offers the following summary propositions: Democracy depends on moral truth.

Because our access to truth is imperfect, most moral disagreement calls for civility, openness to other views and reasonable argument in the service of truth.

Democracy embodies the truth that all persons possess equal dignity.

Democratic civil society is a way of living that calls us fully to pursue, live out and transmit moral truth. For information on the publication contact:

Institute for American Values

iav@worldnet.att.net

– Institute for American Values