Interview With Dr. Mark T. Mitchell
Does the philosophy of localism offer an antidote to the hostile partisanship that typically marks American politics? Can it even address the cultural problems of anxiety and loneliness? Dr. Mark T. Mitchell, co-founder of Front Porch Republic and Dean of Academic Affairs at Patrick Henry College, joins Liberty to talk about the importance of intentional living, physical space, embodied community, and more.
‘Bodies Matter’
Various episodes in Know Why Podcast’s “Know About Political Engagement” series have highlighted the importance of voting in local elections. But the idea of localism goes beyond voting. It’s a way of thinking and living that emphasizes the importance of physical space and in-person community. Through Front Porch Republic, “We are emphasizing the importance of face-to-face encounters with other human beings,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why.
In today’s increasingly mobile, global age, face-to-face encounters are becoming less common. Even though many people tout the benefits of online or social media “communities,” Dr. Mitchell argues there can be no such thing.
“A real and legitimate community in its fullest sense requires sharing common space,” he said. “When our online technologies become substitutes for embodied presence, I think we’re in trouble.”
‘Restless Anxiety’
For examples of what kind of “trouble” substituting online “communities” for embodied community leads to, just consider the high rates of anxiety and loneliness among young generations today. Millennials and Gen Z are the most educated generations on record. Many were encouraged to “go far” and “follow dreams,” leading to the abandonment of hometowns for impressive degrees and careers. Happiness has not been their reward, however—but rather isolation, loneliness, and rootlessness.
What if more people chose to truly put down roots right where they are?
“A real and legitimate community in its fullest sense requires sharing common space.”
Dr. Mark T. Mitchell
“We surf. We scroll. All of this terminology is indicative of the kind of transient, unsettled, dissatisfied thumbing through life that is increasingly characterizing so many of our lives,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why. “That’s no way to live, ultimately.”
“Restless anxiety keeps a people constantly searching—constantly scrolling you might say,” he said. And yet, “So many of the very best things in life are only realized in the wake of commitment.”
To Love Thy Neighbor, Know Thy Neighbor
While localism can help fulfill human needs of physical community and connection, it may also alleviate some of the nastiness of modern politics.
“So much of our political conversation obsesses with national politics, where partisanship is most profoundly obvious,” Dr. Mitchell said. But when more people are focused on working together to solve problems in their local communities, party differences start to matter less and less.
The first step on the path to engaging more with neighbors on local issues is opening yourself up to them—even if that means doing something as simple as sitting on your front porch to invite conversation. This may not always be convenient, but it’s necessary for robust local communities and real human connection.
“‘It’s easy to talk about love of humanity. It’s an abstraction,” Dr. Mitchell told Know Why. “The hard part is loving that bothersome person down the road, or a member of your own family.”
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