Making good citizens: education and civil society

TLDR

Americans are increasingly concerned about the state of American democracy at the beginning of the twenty‑first century. The study seeks to assess the seriousness of democratic decline, examine schools’ influence on civic behavior, evaluate reform initiatives such as multiculturalism and school choice, and explore how schools can reverse the trend. This volume assembles leading thinkers from diverse disciplines to examine the relationship between a healthy democracy and education. The authors argue that fostering democratic values, building social capital, addressing political conflict, navigating religion in public life, and confronting racial inequality through education are essential for sustaining American democracy.

Abstract

Americans have reason to be concerned about the condition of American democracy at the start of the twenty-first century. Surveys show that civic participation has declined, cynicism about government has increased, and young people have a weak grasp of the principles that underlie our constitutional system. Crucial questions must be answered: How serious is the situation? What role do schools play in shaping civic behavior? Are current education reform initiatives-such as multiculturalism and school choice-counterproductive? How can schools contribute toward reversing the trend? This volume brings together leading thinkers from a variety of disciplines to probe the relation between a healthy democracy and education. Their original and provocative discussions cut across a range of important topics: the cultivation of democratic values, the formation of social capital in schools and communities, political conflict in a pluralist society, the place of religion in public life, the enduring problems of racial inequality. Gathering together the most current research and thinking on education and civil society, this is a book that deserves the attention of everyone who cares about the quality and future of American democracy.