Westphalia Press
T
here was a time when how to use finger bowls and
napkin rings was part of education. In dispensing with
archaic manners, we seem to have also dispensed with the
common sense sensitivity that, among other advantages,
made possible political discourse without viciousness.
Decorum has been jettisoned, often with the excuse that the
times are different. The end result has been stress instead
of kindness, the evaporation of care and consideration,
and gross inefficiency in solving problems rather than any
alleged streamlined savings.
The quality of our political life has deteriorated and the
upshot has been a stalemate in dealing with contemporary
social problems. The Westphalia Press Civility Series offers
classic texts about behavior, which if taken to heart might
have practical consequences.
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