BEYOND THE POLITICS OF CONTEMPT

A trio of authors from across the political spectrum make the case for a return to civility.

Based on their politics, one would assume authors Teschner, Malow, and Robinson exist in an adversarial dynamic. Having served six terms as a state representative and as the assistant secretary of state in New Hampshire, Teschner has long been a staple of the Granite State’s Republican establishment. Malow hails from a solidly liberal Jewish family from Long Island and has remained a Democrat throughout her own career as a neurologist in Nashville. An Army brat who campaigned for George H.W. Bush as a high school student, Robinson was raised in a staunchly conservative, evangelical household, but became politically adrift after the rise of Donald Trump. Despite their varied backgrounds, which span not only partisan loyalties but also geographic regions and generational divides, the authors are united in their belief that Americans “need to find a way to turn the politics of fear and contempt into the politics of hope.” Political animosity, per the authors, has a corrosive effect on policies that impact every American, contributing to the deterioration of families, personal relationships, and mental and physical health. While the authors discuss ways that “the exhausted majority” can restore democratic norms on the grassroots level, their central argument emphasizes the importance of embodying bipartisan civility in daily life. The book is written in an engaging style that balances the ideological diversity of its authors. It is as much a self-help book as it is a nuanced commentary on American politics, as it offers pragmatic advice on how to debate without resorting to ad hominem attacks, how to embody the values of kindness and respect, and how to engage with family, friends, and colleagues who have different perspectives. This is “not about kumbaya and compromise,” the authors note, but about how “embracing personal change” is an important first step in building a culture of respect. The text is accompanied by a wealth of photographs, illustrations, and other visual elements.

A thoughtful work that convincingly argues political civility begins at the interpersonal level.