Lincoln's Legacy: Governance and Civic Responsibility

This chapter examines Abraham Lincoln's views on the importance of reasoned governance in sustaining democracy, contrasting it with the original fervor of America's founding ideals. It emphasizes Lincoln's concerns about leadership mediocrity, the role of education in fostering civic responsibility, and the need to balance ambition with democratic engagement. The discussion also explores the nuanced perspectives of Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. on law and civil disobedience, highlighting their differing approaches to justice within a democratic society.