A Threat to Democracy? Uncivil Speech, Social Media, and Democracy's Value

Political Theory Seminar with Ludvig Beckman, University of Stockholm.

The rise of uncivil speech in digital public spheres has prompted concern about its effects on democracy. This paper explores the relationship between incivility and democracy, moving beyond simplistic claims that uncivil discourse is inherently harmful. It argues that different conceptions of why democracy is valuable – versions of egalitarian and electoral conceptions – offer distinct criteria for evaluating the democratic consequences of incivility. Under egalitarian conceptions, incivility undermines democracy by silencing marginalized voices, reinforcing hierarchies of social status, or by degrading the deliberative processes that contribute to democratic legitimacy. Under electoral conceptions incivility poses a democratic problem either when it reduces political trust that impairs the value of accountability or when it erodes norms of legitimate opposition that are essential for civil peace. By analysing these frameworks, the paper clarifies when and why incivility may pose a genuine threat to democracy. The paper argues that although reasons for concern with the effects of uncivil speech differ between egalitarian and electoral conceptions of why democracy is valuable, these concerns are compatible and mutually reinforcing in identifying the ways incivility is detrimental to democracy. The conclusion is that while not all forms of incivility are democratically destructive, specific forms systematically threaten core democratic values, warranting a targeted response that mitigates harm without suppressing legitimate political contestation.

For further information and to receive the paper in advance, please contact Christian Rostbøll, cr@ifs.ku.dk.