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Why does civic education matter? 1. What is the connection between education
and democracy?
2. What can schools do to educate for
democratic citizenship?
Walter Parker
University of Washington
Democracy is the worst form
of government (except for all
the alternatives). – W. Churchill
Liberal or Illiberal Democracy?
Aristotle
The downfalls of democracies are
generally caused by demagogues.… Of
old, the demagogue was a general, and
then democracies changed into
tyrannies. But in our day, when the art of
rhetoric has made such progress, it is
orators who lead the people.
– Aristotle (330 BCE)
If men were angels, no government
would be necessary…. A dependence on
the people is the primary control on the
government, but experience has taught
mankind the necessity of auxiliary
precautions.
– J. Madison, Fed 51
‘auxiliary precautions’
Central Govt
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(“federalism”)
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State Govts
separation of powers
“Every government degenerates when
trusted to the rulers of the people alone.
The people themselves therefore are its
only safe depositories. And to render them
safe their minds must be improved to a
certain degree. This is not all that is
necessary, though it be essentially
necessary. An amendment of our [Virginia]
constitution must here come in aid of public
education.
– T. Jefferson
Knowledge of our system of
government and of the
rights and responsibilities
as citizens is not passed
down through the gene pool.
It must be taught.
– Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
It’s not just theory
Better educated people have more
1. Knowledge of principles of democracy
2. Knowledge of current political leaders
and other current political facts
3. Political attentiveness
4. Participation in difficult political activities
5. Frequency of voting
6. Tolerance for diversity
Nie, N. H., Junn, J., & Stehlik-Barry, K. (1996). Education and democratic
citizenship in America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
High quality civic education at school
1. Classroom instruction on govt. and politics
2. Discussion (seminar, debate, small-group deliberation)
3. Service learning
4. Participation in extra-curricular activities
5. Student governance
6. Simulated civic processes (e.g. mock Congress, mock
election moot court, mock Constitutional Convention)
2. What can schools do to educate for
democratic citizenship?
In schools, teach about
1. Elections and struggles for the vote (men without
property, former slaves, women,…)
2. ‘Auxiliary precautions’ (separation of powers,
checks & balances, federalism)
3. Political and social history of democracy
4. Fundamental documents of democracy
5. Controversial public issues
In schools, teach about
1. Elections and struggles for the vote (men without
property, former slaves, women,…)
2. ‘Auxiliary precautions’ (separation of powers,
checks & balances, federalism)
3. Political and social history of democracy
4. Fundamental documents of democracy
5. Controversial public issues
Learning through debate
1. Should the electoral college be abolished?
2. Should citizens be required to vote?
3. Should you consent to be governed?
4. Can the principal legally search your locker?
5. Can the principal censor the school newspaper?
“The children I teach are just emerging from babyhood and
family. Then along comes school. It is their first real exposure to
the public arena.”
The secret ballot
High quality civic education at school
1. Classroom instruction on govt. and politics
2. Discussion (seminar, debate, small-group deliberation)
3. Service learning
4. Participation in extra-curricular activities
5. Student governance
6. Simulated civic processes (e.g. mock Congress, mock
election moot court, mock Constitutional Convention)
Who gets high-quality civic
education?
More Less
Higher SES Lower SES
White Black, Latino/a
College-bound Not college-bound
Correlates: class, race, future plans
Why does civic education matter? 1. What is the connection between education
and democracy?
2. What can schools do to educate for
democratic citizenship?
Walter Parker
University of Washington
