Where has our Civil Culture Gone?
Recently the Prime-Minister remarked on the loss of civil society in Australia:
“I think we have seen a marked deterioration in good manners. I think it’s time that the television networks put a curb on the increasing use of vulgarisms on television. I think there are certain expressions, there are certain vulgar expressions that have no place on television and if there’s not some kind of self discipline exercised in relation to that, then I think standards will continue to deteriorate.”
He makes an interesting and profound observation – one that demands more consideration if we are to repair many of the gapping problems with our society here in Australia.
Today’s television is constituted by series after series of trash-talking, deviancy and aggressive behaviour. Polite and courteous behaviour does not sell much on television anymore.
We need a renewed call from all concerned Australians – the call started by the Prime Minister and Chief Justice Spigelman – to rediscover our civil society.
We need to argue in favour of a refreshingly new culture of respect that will override society’s other messages that encourage and legitimise poor behaviour. I think just like reality TV, Australians are a little sick of it by now.
However if we have got the diagnosis right, now what exactly is to be the cure?
Our inability to politely deal with the many strangers we on a daily basis goes hand-in-hand with our loss of community, the social relationships that it provides and the norms of civil behaviour that it reinforces.
In the vacuum left by the lack of community, the space has now been filled by television and the norms it establishes. Unfortunately these norms are not pretty.
Although the loss of community is a very complex problem, and is certainly shaped by the significant pressures individual families are facing, one big step towards a solution would be switching of the television and instead signing up you or your family to help in your local area.
This could be in a local church, charity, school group, or mentor programme and unlike television you are guaranteed to feel good after it!
GORDON MOYES
