Song Summit panel tackles civility in political discourse

Greg Jackson, an author and professor of national security studies at Utah Valley University discusses the current state of political discord in the U.S. and how it compares to other moments in history. The conversation is a preview of a free, hour-long panel discussion — "A Discourse in Civility" — Jackson will lead at the Park City Song Summit Saturday. Jackson says history shows that much of today's challenges, from political violence to fake-news claims and contested elections aren't new. He also says the country's political institutions are stronger than people may think and hold up well during periods of distress. He says the Founding Fathers designed the government around the idea of public virtue, which means it can endure the worst behaviors of some as long as others exhibits their best. He also said civility in public discourse is something deeper than politeness and includes disagreement with dehumanizing one's opponent. Song Summit co-founder Ben Anderson adds that the panel's focus on civility has a direct tie to the his organization's mission to foster community connections around issues like mental health and social wellness. The panel runs from 5 to 6 p.m. at Song Summit Village on Library Field.