September 29, 2024 - Blog Post

Factors That Create Incivility

In the previous blog, we talked about the importance of civility in creating a respectful, cooperative, and peaceful community.  As mentioned earlier there is a growing concern that civility is on the decline, particularly in public discourse, online interactions, and political arenas.  This perception is influenced by several factors:

1. Polarized Political Climate

• Increased Polarization: Politics has become more polarized in many countries, including Canada, leading to more intense and often uncivil exchanges.  What is happening in the USA right now is illustrative of this phenomenon.  We are seeing people with differing opinions seeing others as adversaries rather than individuals with valid but different perspectives.  This behaviour tends to affect whole communities, changing the demeanour.
• Aggressive Rhetoric: Politicians and public figures are using aggressive or inflammatory language more often than before, which can set a tone for less civil discourse among the public.  We are reminded of it everyday in the media, especially social media.  Though this has been around for many years, the vitriol and hate that is being published is now infiltrating our lives with more regularity and less oversight than in the past.

2. Social Media and Online Anonymity

• Echo Chambers: Social media platforms often create echo chambers where people are exposed mainly to views that reinforce their own, making civil discourse across differing viewpoints less common.  Many users often “retweet” other’s comments, dramatically increasing the audience size.
• Anonymity: The anonymity of online interactions can lead to more hostile and uncivil behavior, as people feel emboldened to say things they might not say in face-to-face interactions.

3. Erosion of Trust in Institutions

• Distrust: Growing distrust in institutions, including the media, government, and education, has fueled cynicism and a decline in respectful dialogue.  People may feel less inclined to be civil when they don't trust the systems around them.  Moreover, when people see their leaders engaging in hostile and uncivil comments, it often leads to their followers engaging in the same kind of behaviour.

4. Stress and Economic Pressures

• Economic and Social Stress: Economic uncertainty, social inequality, and other stressors can exacerbate feelings of frustration and anger, leading to more uncivil behavior as people struggle to cope.  We live in a very stressful time right now with a lot of change that is challenging people’s beliefs and concepts and that many feel is threatening their way of life.

5. Cultural Shifts

• Normalization of Incivility: In some cases, incivility has been normalized, with harsh or disrespectful behavior being portrayed as acceptable or even desirable in certain contexts (e.g., reality TV shows, aggressive media punditry).

Evidence and Perspectives:

While many perceive a decline in civility, it's also important to note that this is not a universal experience.  Some communities, organizations, and individuals continue to prioritize and promote civil behavior.  Additionally, the rise in awareness of the importance of civility has led to initiatives aimed at restoring respectful dialogue and promoting understanding across differences.

Is Civility Truly in Decline?

It's challenging to measure civility objectively across different time periods.  While there are clear signs of declining civility in some areas, other aspects of society may have become more inclusive and respectful over time.  The perception of declining civility may also be amplified by media coverage, which tends to focus on conflict and controversy.

In summary, while there is concern that civility is on the decline, especially in public and online spaces, the situation is complex.  The challenge lies in addressing the factors contributing to incivility while promoting practices and norms that encourage respectful and constructive interactions.

Creating a civil living environment:

To create a civil living environment in a condo community, several strategies can be implemented:

• Clear rules and guidelines: Establish and communicate well-defined community rules and regulations.
• Effective communication: Set up channels for residents to easily communicate with the board and each other.
• Regular meetings: Hold community meetings to discuss issues and make decisions collectively.
• Conflict resolution procedures: Implement a fair process for addressing disputes between residents.
• Community events: Organize social gatherings to foster relationships among neighbors.
• Shared spaces: Maintain clean and welcoming common areas to encourage positive interactions.
• Noise control: Enforce reasonable quiet hours and noise restrictions.
• Parking management: Implement fair parking policies to prevent conflicts.
• Pet policies: Create and enforce clear rules for pet ownership and behavior.
• Maintenance and cleanliness: Ensure prompt upkeep of the property to maintain a pleasant environment.
• Education and orientation: Provide new residents with information about community norms and expectations.  A membership in CCI-NS can be very helpful in providing condo owners with information, education, and support.
• Encourage participation: Involve residents in committees or volunteer opportunities to increase engagement.

These strategies are self-evident.  The challenge is often adhering or enforcing what is already published.  In the next blog, we’ll look at some key strategies in developing civil relationships that can contribute to ensuring people behave in accordance with already established rules.

Remember,

"If you make a rule, enforce it. If you don't enforce it, it's not a rule."
Attributed to Frank McKinney Hubbard, American cartoonist, humorist, and journalist.

Michael Kennedy
CCI Nova Scotia