Jordan Richard Schoenherr
Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Carleton University
Conversation Canada
The United States media has been awash with debates about civility in recent months after a number of officials in Donald Trump’s administration have been heckled and shamed in public places.
Commentators have claimed the cause of incivility stems from everything from political orientation to Donald Trump’s leadership and the way we communicate on social media. The recent White House wavering on flag-lowering protocol following the death of Sen. John McCain has only reinforced the ubiquity of this issue, as did high-profile speakers calling for a return to civility at his funeral.
But eroding civility is not just a modern American affliction; Canada, the U.K. and others are not immune.