Civility theory

Summary

1. Guiding principle: Civility is mutual respect, from which equality, freedom and the awareness of shared responsibility arise.
2. Levels of civility: Civility can be present to varying degrees (from lacking to fully developed).
3. Welfare function: The higher the existing level of civility, the better the welfare prospects for all those involved.
4. Variable space: Interaction logics, forms of interaction, and levels of civility mutually influence each other. Variable effects reinforce each other at respective levels of civility according to the pattern: friend/enemy logic, war, lack of civility; however, "diagonal" variable effects and breaks in effects are also possible.
5. Social spacetime: While space and time constitute social boundary conditions, levels of civility do not arise from space and time per se, but rather from how actors think and act. Since these variables mutually influence each other to a greater or lesser degree, the space of variables in civility theory constitutes social spacetime. Thus, war (with its immediate threat to life) narrows the perception of space and time to almost zero, while higher levels of civility open up broader and more nuanced perceptions of space and time.
6. Analysis: From a civil-theoretical perspective, any actor relationships can be analyzed.
7. Civil ethics: Civilly motivated actors orient their thinking and actions according to the motto: Analyze realistically, act responsibly!
8. Development: Since its initial presentation as a theory of civil modernity (2018), the theory of civility has been continuously developed. Current versions include the General Theory of Civility (AZT 2026,3) and Specific Theories of Civility (2026).
9. Accessibility: All texts and videos on the theory of civility can be freely accessed with one click on the website of Civility gUG, Berlin.