Newswise — Washington, DC (January 23, 2013) —Congress’ fight over the fiscal cliff appears to have fueled the growing disdain for “all things Washington” felt by many Americans. The apparent lack of civility demonstrated by many Members of Congress has left citizens wondering whether elected officials have completely lost their ability to argue constructively toward effective compromise. And, the onslaught of disparaging comments from both sides of the aisle as Congress moves into the next round of fiscal talks may mean more of the same over the coming months.
Members of The National Communication Association who study interpersonal communication and political communication can provide insight into the following issues:
•What are some of the factors that have led to a perceived decline in civility?•How can people manage heated discussions with family, friends, or coworkers?•What can lawmakers do to increase civility?
WHO: Martín Carcasson, Ph.D.Department of Communication Studies, Colorado State UniversityDr. Carcasson’s interests are focused on rhetoric and contemporary public affairs, and the interdisciplinary theory and practice of deliberative democracy and collaborative governance. He is the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, an impartial resource to the Northern Colorado community providing collaborative problem-solving processes on difficult issues. Janie Harden Fritz, Ph.D.Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne UniversityDr. Fritz studies professional civility and problematic relationships in the workplace.
Andy Merolla, Ph.D. Department of Communication Studies, Baldwin Wallace UniversityDr. Merolla teaches conflict management, communication theory and interpersonal communication with research interests in how people maintain relationships and manage difficult relational circumstances. CONTACT: To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Arlyn G. Riskind at [email protected] or 202-534-1104.
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About National Communication AssociationThe National Communication Association (NCA) advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. The NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, the NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems.
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