Description
Book SynopsisCivility is desirable and possible, but can this fragile ideal be guaranteed? The Importance of Being Civil offers the most comprehensive look at the nature and advantages of civility throughout history and in our world today. Esteemed sociologist John Hall expands our understanding of civility as related to larger social forces--including revoluti
Trade Review"In this insightful, well-argued examination of civility (defined as a tolerance and respect for different points of view), McGill University sociologist Hall argues that civility is the crucial foundation for a successful civil society... This is a much-needed book for today's contentious world."--Publishers Weekly "The Importance of Being Civil is a meandering tour through centuries of Western history in the company of Hall, a guide who has led such excursions for decades. As a narrative well-stocked with quotes from carefully chosen thinkers--Machiavelli, Adam Smith, and Tocqueville--and analytic observations that Hall has polished to brilliance through repeated delivery, the book will please both political scientists and casual readers with an interest in the tribulations, triumphs, and prospects of civility."--ForeWord "Tracing Western socio-structural development that created multiple centers of power, Hall ably presents the work of various theorists in ways that support the book's central theme: the utility and, indeed, the necessity of providing suitable alternatives to extreme reactions in various junctures of social stress and crises... Hall is careful to continually note the fragility of civility, not only as a chosen practice, but also with regard to the cultural and socio-structural backgrounds of various actors, ideologies, and philosophies diminishing the potential for civility. Of particular interest is Hall's skill in melding the micro- and macro-sociological."--Choice "The Importance of Being Civil is an interesting and thought-provoking book... [I]t is well worth engaging with this work."--Andrew Linklater, Human Figurations "As would be expected from an intellect of such standing, this is a masterful work. It is rich in ideas, and Hall's readings of authors such as Adam Smith, Alexis de Tocqueville, Raymond Aron, Erving Goffman and Daniel Bell are profoundly insightful. There is little question that the book makes a major contribution to contemporary debates on civility and civil society."--Jason Edwards, Political Theory
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction 1 Part One: A Composite Definition 1. Agreeing to Differ 19 2. Sympathy and Deception 38 3. How Best to Rule 62 4. Entry and Exit 83 5. Intelligence in States 105 Part Two: Enemies 6. Down with Authenticity 129 7. The Disenchantment of the Intellectuals 152 8. The Problem with Communism 176 9. The Destruction of Trust 201 10. Imperialism, the Perversion of Nationalism 226 Conclusion 247 Index 255
