Political Polarization and Tending the Flames of Hostility

An important role of social criticism is to call out social and political policies and actions that disrespect the dignity of persons, wrongfully constrain their liberties, violate their rights, or otherwise undermine the moral foundations of democratic society. Focusing on the Islamic terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, Richard B. Miller argues that violence committed in the name of religion is intolerable and must be denounced. Moreover, such behavior justifies feelings of indignation. This chapter draws parallels between the 9/11 attacks and the violent takeover of the US Capitol on 1/6/2021. It argues that, in both cases, the behavior was intolerable and ought to be condemned. Yet when we reflect on 1/6, we can perhaps discern more easily some of the dangers of recommending indignation as a response to harmful political action. Indignation typically includes some hostility, and hostility rarely stays within reasonable bounds. This chapter examines the Capitol attack in the context of extreme political polarization. It argues that indignation and hostility, while understandable, threaten to undermine the basic respect that we owe each other as persons. It homes in on the hostility that many Americans feel toward the people who participated in the attack, toward other Americans who share many of the attackers’ conservative social values, and toward fellow citizens who continue to tolerate and even celebrate a political figure who allegedly helped to instigate the event, foments hostility, and continues to undermine public trust in governmental institutions that protect people’s rights and liberties.