Civility as a Tonic for What Ails Local Democracy by Erica L. Manuel
Americans’ confidence in government is at an all-time low — sadly, that’s not new information. A September 2020 study from the Pew Research Center found that merely 20 percent of Americans trust the federal government. This is underscored by an article in The Atlantic, published earlier in 2020, highlighting a global study that provides shocking evidence of a major decline in support of democracy — not only in the United States, but also in many other countries. In fact, global confidence in democracy has reached a historic low. This does not bode well for our nation, our state, or our local communities. Leaders in every level of government will need to do their part to address this trend, and local governments in particular can play a unique and important role to help stem eroding confidence in democratic institutions and principles. Local government is consistently the entry point for civic engagement. This is why city and county leaders have a special opportunity to rebuild trust and confidence in local representative democracy. In the wake of contentious political races at the national and state levels, plagued by partisanship and divisiveness, civility among elected leaders — and even within our communities — is at an all-time low. Local elected officials can and should step up and lead by example to model unity and encourage public trust and
confidence. Cities statewide can view the recent election as the proverbial “reset button” and embrace changes to the composition of city councils to wipe the slate clean, maintain a focus on ethics, and begin repairing the trust that has been damaged. “Civility and ethics are inseparable,” says Arne Croce, a former city manager and nonprofit executive. “Treating everyone with dignity and respect is a foundational ethic.” While elections offer an opportunity for new beginnings, maintaining civility and good governance throughout transitions and uncertainty is not easy. California communities continue to grapple with health orders related to COVID-19, immense wildfire devastation, and sustained economic uncertainty. Local leaders are being tested now more than ever. A serious dose of civility in all levels of government — modeled by local leaders — will help all our communities emerge stronger after the dust settles. “Creating and maintaining civil and respectful relationships is not always easy,” says Rod Gould, former city manager and chair of the Institute for Local Government (ILG) Board of Directors. “But for our cities to thrive, particularly in these uncertain times, local leaders need to embrace the challenge — put in the work, develop the policies and protocols, and assume the best in each other.”
Local officials in California can demonstrate and encourage civility in the local governing culture in many ways. Model Civility. Civility can be challenging to achieve, but it is paramount. Respect is the watchword for how elected leaders should treat one another, the community they represent, and the staff that serves both. Admittedly, this can be tough in the face of deliberately offensive and spiteful rhetoric. Elected leaders must actively listen to all viewpoints and respect opinions and individuals with whom they differ. Separate the speaker from the problem. Be tough on the issues and gentle with the people, even on social media. This can start with valuing engagement, equity, and inclusion — working to ensure that all who wish to be involved in decisionmaking have the opportunity to speak and be heard. It also means promoting more intentional and authentic public engagement beyond simply holding public hearings. It requires that local leaders make it more comfortable and easier for people to engage with their governments on issues that matter most to them. This has become much more difficult since stayat-home orders were issued, but no less important. The cities of Arcata and San Diego offer two examples of jurisdictions that are shifting their approach to public engagement in light of COVID-19 and the call for greater equity. continued
Erica L. Manuel is CEO and executive director of the Institute for Local Government and can be reached at emanuel@ca-ilg.org.
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Western City, December 2020
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