Why Courage Matters in Politics and Society
Introduction
In today’s political and social landscape, courage seems to be in short supply. Whether it’s politicians avoiding tough debates, corporations succumbing to social pressures, or individuals staying silent in the face of injustice, bravery and moral courage have taken a backseat. This decline in courage is concerning as it poses a threat to the wellbeing of our societies. In this article, we will explore the importance of courage in politics and society and why it should be nurtured and celebrated.
The Lack of Courage in Politics
The recent Republican primary debate, which featured no frontrunners and was boycotted by Donald Trump, highlighted the absence of courage among politicians. Trump’s refusal to participate in the debate, citing his lead in the polls, raises questions about the willingness of politicians to confront their opponents and engage in meaningful debates. By avoiding such encounters, politicians deprive the electorate of the opportunity to compare their ideas and make informed decisions.
This lack of courage is not limited to Trump alone. Other politicians, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have also shown a reluctance to stand up for their convictions. Sunak’s decision to abstain from a vote regarding former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s alleged deception underscores a broader pattern of avoiding difficult choices for fear of repercussion.
The Crisis of Courage in Society
While the absence of courage is evident in politics, it is not confined to the realm of politicians. Society at large is suffering from a crisis of courage. This becomes apparent when corporations prioritize protecting their brands over taking a stand on important social issues. The prevalence of virtue signaling, where companies adopt social causes for marketing purposes, without genuinely embodying the values they proclaim, further highlights the lack of courage.
Moreover, individuals often conform to popular opinion and social pressures, even when they do not personally agree with them. Fear of backlash and a desire to be seen as part of the “right” side often outweigh moral and intellectual courage. This prevailing culture discourages independent thinking and stifles meaningful conversations.
The Decline of Courage in Language and Literature
The decline in courage is not only evident in political and social actions but also in language and literature. Research shows that words associated with courage, bravery, and fortitude have decreased in usage throughout the 20th century. This decline is likely a reflection of the relatively safe times we live in, where physical courage is less necessary. However, the lack of discussion around moral courage prevents us from fully understanding its importance and cultivating this virtue.
The Role of Courage in Society’s Prosperity
While the absence of courage may seem like a minor concern, it has significant implications for society’s prosperity. Bravery and moral courage are essential for progress and positive change. Without the willingness to think independently and stand up for one’s beliefs, meaningful conversations and constructive debates cannot take place. Consequently, societies remain stagnant, and issues that require courage to address continue to be ignored.
The late Maya Angelou captured the essence of courage when she said, “Courage is the most important of all virtues, for without courage, no other virtue can be consistently practiced.” Her words remind us that bravery is the catalyst for action and the foundation upon which other virtues are built.
The Importance of Cultivating Courage
So, how can we cultivate courage in ourselves and others? Here are some strategies:
- Encouraging open and respectful dialogue: Promoting an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected allows individuals to express their opinions without fear of judgment or reprisal.
- Teaching critical thinking: By nurturing critical thinking skills, individuals are better equipped to analyze information, challenge prevailing narratives, and form independent opinions.
- Leading by example: Political and societal leaders play a crucial role in shaping the culture of courage. By demonstrating moral courage in their actions and decisions, they inspire others to do the same.
- Recognizing and celebrating acts of courage: Whether it’s a politician making a bold stance or an individual speaking up against injustice, acknowledging and celebrating acts of courage can reinforce its importance in society.
Conclusion
Courage is a fundamental virtue that is essential for progress and the wellbeing of societies. Its absence in politics and society stifles meaningful conversations, perpetuates injustice, and limits our collective potential. By recognizing the importance of courage and actively cultivating it, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive society where bravery is celebrated and difference of opinion is welcomed.
So, let us be the agents of change and embrace our role in nurturing a culture of courage.
Contact the author at jemima.kelly@ft.com.
Summary
In today’s political and social landscape, courage is in short supply. Politicians avoid tough debates, corporations succumb to social pressures, and individuals stay silent in the face of injustice. This decline in courage poses a threat to our societies. The article explores the importance of courage in politics and society and suggests strategies for cultivating and celebrating bravery. By recognizing and actively promoting courage, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive society.
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The first debate of the Republican primary, held in Milwaukee on Wednesday, was unusual: It featured no one who currently has a shot at being the party’s nominee in next year’s presidential election. The only man who does it, Donald Trump, decided it wasn’t worth it.
“I am leading the second, whoever he is now, by more than 50 points,” said the four-time accused former president. he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday. “People know my record, one of the BEST of all time, so why would I debate?”
Trump confirmed Sunday that he “WON’T BE HOLDING THE DEBATES!” Instead, he decided to sit down for an interview with Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host who said in private text messages in 2021 that Trump was a “demonic force” but has since backtracked, telling an announcer on conservative radio this year: “I love Trump.”
A gathering of cowards, no doubt. And yet, Trump can be seen to be right in asking why he should even bother with the debate. Despite growing legal troubles, the former president is still way ahead of the competition: he is at 55.4 percent in the RealClearPolitics polling average, while Ron DeSantis trails at 14.3 and none of the other Republican candidates have broken the digits.
Also, Trump knows he would have to face opponents like Chris Christie, who spent his campaign bragging that he would defeat Trump in a real fight and making her his explicit mission to tear it down. Running would only really have a clear benefit to the ex-president, and he’s not the type he’s usually very interested in. He would show that he is in possession of an important moral virtue: courage.
Courage, however, seems to have gone out of style. And not just for Trump or Carlson, or those in the Republican Party who repeatedly refuse to denounce the former president for any wrongdoing. A similar lack of guts was on display when UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided not to stand for a vote on whether former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had deliberately misled parliament about “partygate” (Sunak apparently had “commitments of long standing” that day).
And the problem is much broader than politics. Society itself seems to be suffering from a crisis of courage. This becomes clear when corporations succumb to the social pressures of fire employees to protect their brands, or when they use the Pride flag on their social media avatars but not in the Middle East. Virtue marks may be endemic, but courage, like honor, it is not considered a virtue worth noting. In fact, all the incentives are in the opposite direction: there is little to lose by accepting what everyone says, even if you don’t believe it yourself, and much to gain by showing that you are on the “right” side. .
Moral or intellectual courage (sticking your head over the parapet and speaking your mind) can, on the other hand, get you into a great deal of trouble and is usually not rewarded for it.
The mere mention of courage has been on the decline for a long time. A 2012 article in the Journal of Positive Psychology that tracked the frequency with which words related to moral excellence appeared in American books (both fiction and nonfiction) during the 20th century, found that the use of the words courage, bravery, and fortitude ( that were clustered) had fallen by two-thirds during the period.
During the years the United States was involved in World War II, the average frequency of these words was almost 19 percent higher than the four years before and after its involvement in the war. Selin Kesebir, associate professor of organizational behavior at the London Business School and a co-author on the paper, tells me that one of the reasons we talk less about courage in the West is that we live in relatively safe times these days. In other words, our lack of need for physical courage prevents us from focusing on moral courage in public conversation.
“If there is a real threat, then courage is needed,” says Kesebir. “But in settings where there aren’t very real threats, we don’t need to invoke it as a virtue.”
Moral courage does not equate to recklessness, nor does it mean being a troublemaker for the sake of it. According to Aristotle, one should think about courage as a kind of mediator between cowardice and recklessness.
But if we want our societies to prosper, we must be brave enough to think for ourselves and stand up for what we believe. The late writer Maya Angelou was right when she said: “Courage is the most important of all virtues, for without courage no other virtue can be consistently practiced.”
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