9. The Practice of Politics Today and the Greater Tomorrow

This chapter examines the practice of politics in America. The “hyperpartisan” nature of politics today has resulted in an erosion of people’s trust and respect for government and each other. We find political polarization and social fragmentation between classes, races, ideologies, generations, and even regions of the nation. We call for the restoration of the social contract. By breaking the social contract, the prerequisites of democracy are violated, and government intervenes in daily life, thus imposing upon the liberty and equality of others. We need a national recommitment to the core principles that created and defined America. We need dynamic citizen engagement to cultivate an active, democratic citizenry. Civic responsibility, accountability, and initiative should once again become a keystone of social life.