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Show Volume XXX Issue I The Ogden Valley News Page 3 October 15, 2022 On Civil Society By Shanna Francis I remember well an honors class during my undergraduate studies at Weber State University where we explored the meaning of civil society. Each student within the small group was asked on the first day of class what they thought it meant to be civilized. Has America ever experienced such an extremist, vitriolic upheaval since the Civil War? The polarization and ad nauseam propaganda on both sides of the political spectrum have been heartbreaking and detrimental to the overall general health of our nation. It has contributed to extremist views, mob action, divisions, and a loss of faith and hope in the “American” way and historical American traditions, ideology, and idealism. It has contributed to political despair, anger, and a general patriotic malaise for some, and a hyper sense of patriotism for others. It has tended to undermine cultural norms and symbols that have traditionally united America’s diverse populations—our one nation under God. In essence, it seems as if America has become “undone,” a seemingly “civilized” nation gone haywire. What’s going on? Parents rushing little league football fields to duke it out; shootings and violence reported each evening on the local news; a national drug epidemic; disrespect for the rule of law, disrespect for law enforcement officers, disrespect for teachers, parents, clergy, and each other; overcrowding of jails as crime rates soar; 629,898 reported abortions in the U.S. in 2019 (from Centers of Disease Control & Prevention); an estimated 16,425 murders (U.S. Dept. of Justice); unheard of rates of theft and burglaries; increases in high school dropout rates with 54% of the U.S. population now having a literacy rate below that of a 6th-grader and 21% of adults in the U.S. in 2022 being completely illiterate. Unheard of rates of homelessness, and an increase of communicable diseases and child poverty. Parents who don’t take responsibility to feed, nurture, and clothe their children; fathers and mothers who are MIA. There are several factors that social scientists include to determine if a society is “civilized,” and to what degree. They usually include determinants such as: • Sizeable population centers • Monumental architecture and unique art styles • Shared communication strategies • Systems of administering territories • Complexity of the division of labor • The division of people into social and economic classes • Religious organization composed of rituals and beliefs • Steady and reliable food sources • Rules of conduct and peaceful methods to resolve conflicts • A reliable economic system • Clear social norms and mores and institutions and organizations that help perpetuate and solidify them, i.e., family, church, and other formal and informal groups, professional and social institutions, etc. And what does it mean to be a civilized civilization? What markers determine if a civilization has a civil society? They include: • Having a highly developed society and culture with respect for social law and order. • Evidence of moral and intellectual advancement, including a culture that is humane, reasonable, and ethical. • Refinement in taste, culture, and manners. • Respect for other human beings; thus, a society characterized by a culture of tolerance, gentleness, courtesy, compliance, and patience. • Respect for the property of others. • An educated populace with the ability to think critically and rationally. Being civilized is the opposite of being barbaric. Where civilized connotes a positive image of being educated; fair; and sophisticated or advanced social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical development, barbarism implies un-refinement; savagery; disrespect for others and the rule of law; and limited and stunted social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical levels of progression. In the book Civil Society by Michael Edwards (2nd Edition), we read that the nature of a “good society” includes “the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the practice of politics and government, and most especially, how to live together peacefully by reconciling our individual autonomy with our collective aspirations, balancing freedom and its boundaries, and marrying pluralism with conformity so that complex societies can function with both efficiency and justice.” Edwards adds, “In classical thought, civil society and the state were seen as indistinguishable, with both referring to a type of political association governing social conflict through the imposition of rules that restrained citizens from harming one another. Aristotle’s polis was an ‘association of associations’ that enabled citizens to share in the virtuous tasks of ruling and being ruled. In this sense, the state represented the ‘civil’ form of society and ‘civility’ described the requirements of good citizenship.” Traditionally, civil society has been defined as the “good society,” described in normative terms. While norms can vary, there is usually a common thread that includes tolerance for others, non-violence, trust and cooperation, and freedom—not only freedom as traditionally defined in America, but freedom from arbitrary government intervention or repressive laws and acts that destabilize and corrode the integrity and fabric of the “good society.” In contrast, a civil society is characterized by a form of institutional and cultural “civility” in which institutions, customs, and social mores reinforce positive social norms conducive to the civil society. Along with reaffirming social norms, economic and political bonds also work to support and reinforce the civil culture of the society. Edwards holds that the philosophy of civility has its roots “deep in Gandhian ethics and the teachings of Martin Luther King,” which sees personal and social transformation as mutually supportive—an “unconditional love” that is seen as the ultimate extension of civility. In conclusion, Edwards writes, “Civil society is what we as active citizens, make it, but it is also true that ‘social energy,’ or ‘willed action,’ is the spark that ignites civil society as a force for positive social change. The determination to do something because it is the right thing to do—not because we are told to do it by governments or enticed to do it by the market— is what makes associational life a force for good, provides fuel for change in the practices of states and business, and motivates people to raise their voices in the public sphere.” He also notes that it is against the backdrop of weak democracies, strong bureaucracies, corporate power, legalism, and fascist nationalism, that “civil society is essential to the prospects for a peaceful and prosperous world.” Civil society is dependent on social capital— networks and norms of civic engagement—that, in turn, is dependent on “opportunity spaces” where people can easily and freely congregate, communicate, and debate social issues and solutions without fear of censorship or retribution by counter political or social factions. The aim of opportunity spaces—the public sphere—is to have critical discussions among citizens about the common good, leading to the formulation of courses of action that best serve the interest of this public good—the civil society. Its purpose is, through public dialogue, to generate opinions and attitudes that serve to affirm or challenge the affairs of community— to legitimize or delegitimize institutionalized public actions and bring to light and then work to remove those that threaten civil society. We’ve all heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” meaning that an entire community of people is needed to interact positively with children for them to gain the necessary experiences to grow in a safe and healthy environment. Likewise, it takes a village of positively acting people to produce a safe and healthy environment—a civil society. Ways to contribute to a civil society include becoming actively engaged in the community— in public schools, advocacy groups, professional associations, and churches. Also, becoming engaged in advocacy projects that ensure government, the private sector, businesses, and institutions are acting in ways that support and contribute to a civil, moral society, one that is working in the best interest of all to further positive social norms and behaviors—especially for the rising generation. Review and analyze current government policies and laws at the local, state, and federal levels. Are decisions being made in the context of what is in the best interest of civil society? The family is the foundational block of any society. Are laws being passed and upheld that will support the integrity and good of families—economically, politically, socially, spiritually, and intellectually? Where can improvements be made? As a village, let’s all come together in opportunity spaces to ensure the advancement and continuation of civil society. Letters to the Editor Hunters Have Rights Too I read with skepticism the October 1 The Ogden Valley News Letter to the Editor regarding hunting geese around Pineview in September. I received the edition the last week of September, so well before October 1. Waterfowl season doesn’t open until October 1. The vast majority of hunters are very ethical. Anyone hunting migratory birds outside of legal seasons and locations are subject to huge fines, loss of hunting rights, confiscation of their firearm and if egregious enough, jail time (it’s happened). Hunting geese on Pineview in September would be like robbing a bank, dropping your driver’s license, using no masks, and not having a getaway car, all the while surrounded by USFS Rangers, Utah DWR Officers and the Weber County Sheriff. Gun shots (common) and seeing valley waterfowl at the same time does not equate to hunting waterfowl. If someone was hunting geese out of season, I too would be in favor of their prosecution. But I am doubtful this is the case. If the author of the letter really wants to support migratory birds, they should join and pay dues to hunter-friendly entities like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. No group of the population gives more money to protect waterfowl and waterfowl habitat than hunters. That’s a fact. Hunters spend a tremendous amount of time reading, digesting, and obeying the complex rules and regulations of chasing game. Utah’s Constitutional Amendment E (2020) provides both a sign of public support and legal protection for hunters in Utah. A sign on a trailhead will not deter a hunter who has studied the rules and knows their rights. It will not deter me, and I’m happy to have a friendly conversation with a sheriff, DWR officer or ranger while chasing waterfowl on Pineview, which is well within my legal rights given proper season dates, limits, licenses, HIP numbers, and Federal Duck Stamps (two of those are fee based, which help pay for the rangers, sheriffs, and DWR officers to protect the wildlife, which the folks sitting on the porch don’t pay). In the words of the author, it is upsetting and disrespectful that some in the valley want to curtail the rights of respectful, law-abiding hunters. Hunters have rights too. There was a movement by some to create “mountain biking only” trails on public land this year. It was quickly put to bed, but the moral of the story is: Protect your rights, all rights, whether it be shooting, horses, running with your leash-free dog, hunting, hiking, biking, shedding, mushrooming, etc. on public land. Once they are gone, you will not get them back. And P.S., few folks hunt Pineview; it’s not that good. There are better places to hunt down by the GSL. But thank goodness there are places in the U.S. where folks can take a walk, maybe get lucky, and legally take a bird home for dinner. Ron Lackey, Eden Vote for Progress and Preservation I’m John Thompson, an Unaffiliated registered voter running as a Democrat for the Weber County Commission, Seat A. Why me? Because I’m not the incumbent. He is too pro-growth, pro-self, pro-development, and self-serving. He seems to have an aversion to responding to inquiries from his constituents, both while in the Utah House and while as a commissioner. I believe one should serve the public interest and not personally benefit from that service. In general, and overall, I believe Republicans (and I mainly mean lawmakers here) are way too pro-business, and as a result have ignored most of the reasons that have become the issues we are now forced to address. American, and Utah, confidence in our pillars of a free society–Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, public schools, government institutions, even the media–are due to Republicans’ constant attacks on all of them. When out of power, they block and obstruct. When in power, it’s special interests and donors that benefit. Please do one exercise for me. Review all Utah Republican literature you receive by mail, see on TV, read in newspapers or online, and ask this question: Why are they still trying to get all these achievements done? They have, literally, been running our state for 40 years, yet all these slogans, mottos, sayings, and sound bites have yet to result in lower taxes, decrease in regulations, smaller government, better growth, a cleaner and healthier environment, or eliminating wasteful spending. Myself, I’ve been reading this stuff every two years for 40 years. This election is not about me but about who will serve the people, the Common Man, the Middle Class, the Working Class. I will also ask you to consider voting for people I know, and I believe will do a terrific job in service to us and Weber County, as well as everybody in our great state. Please vote for them so we can finally get some of these problems solved and not just talk about solving them. Rick Jones (US House), Mike Blodgett (Ut Sen 5), Monica Hall (Ut House 8), Dr. Rosemary Lesser (Ut House 10), Brian Rowley ((L), Seat B), Stacy Bernal (Ogden School Bd, 2) and Jeremy Shinoda (Ogden School Bd, 4). Conservatism: is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? It’s time to try something new. Let’s balance progress with preservation. Please VOTE. John Thompson, Ogden |