In a San Antonio Current analysis, Trinity University’s Mike Fischer, Ph.D., Janet S. Dicke Professor in Public Humanities, says the decline of civil political discourse in the U.S. cannot be blamed solely on Donald Trump, arguing that Texas leaders have adopted similarly divisive rhetoric that deepens polarization at the state level. Fischer, author of How Books Can Save Democracy, warns that when elected officials normalize dehumanizing language, it fuels distrust, weakens institutions, and increases the risk of undemocratic actions.
“The major concern I have is that if you lose faith in dialogue, constructive disagreement and debate, you create frustration in people about the inaction that’s going on, the paralysis,” said Fischer. “Some people become tempted to use undemocratic actions to solve their problems and advance their goals.” Read the full story here.