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The Value of Civility?

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  • Richard Boyd

    (Department of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1050 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI53706, USA, richardboyd@wisc.edu)

Abstract

This essay argues for civility's vital place in contemporary urban life. Contrary to many critics who see civility as a conservative or nostalgic virtue deployed to repress difference and frustrate social change, it is argued that civility should be understood as democratic, pluralistic and premised on a sense of moral equality. Civility's most obvious contribution is functional-in easing social conflicts and facilitating social interactions in a complex and diverse market society. However, there is also and maybe more importantly an intrinsic moral value to civility. Observing the formal conditions of civility is one of the ways in which we communicate respect for others and generate habits of moral equality in the everyday life of a democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Boyd, 2006. "The Value of Civility?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 43(5-6), pages 863-878, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:43:y:2006:i:5-6:p:863-878
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980600676105
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    Cited by:

    1. Catherine Harris & Gill Valentine, 2016. "Encountering Difference in the Workplace: Superficial Contact, Underlying Tensions and Group Rights," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 107(5), pages 582-595, December.

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