Authors Christopher Beem, Richard Haass, and Lorraine Pangle join the National Constitution Center to discuss the importance of civic virtue and citizenship in democratic societies. Topics include the decline of character and civics education in public schools, the role of civic education in creating a flourishing society, and the practice of civic virtue through consistency and accountability.
Promoting civic virtue and citizenship is crucial for the future of American democracy, and citizens can contribute to a more virtuous society by adopting virtues such as civility, openness, and compromise.
Civic education plays a crucial role in teaching civic virtues, and schools should focus on instilling the love of country and developing virtues such as civility, kindness, open-mindedness, and compassion.
Deep dives
Promoting Civic Virtue and Citizenship
Promoting civic virtue and citizenship is crucial for the future of American democracy. Richard Haas, Christopher Beam, and Lorraine Pangal discuss the importance of civic education and the need for citizens to actively engage in their communities. They emphasize the urgency of taking ownership and agency in preserving and improving democracy. Suggestions for promoting civic virtue include incentivizing public service, encouraging religious leaders and business leaders to advocate for the common good, enhancing civics education in schools, and fostering community engagement. By getting informed, involved, and adopting the virtues of civility, openness, and compromise, citizens can help strengthen American democracy.
Character Education and Virtue
Character education plays a crucial role in teaching civic virtues. Christopher Beam discusses the seven democratic virtues he outlines in his book, including humility, honesty, consistency, courage, temperance, charity, faith, and hope. These virtues can help citizens overcome tribalism and engage in civil dialogue. Lorraine Pangal highlights the importance of education, stories, and models in teaching virtue. She emphasizes the need for schools to focus on civic education, instill the love of country, and develop virtues such as civility, kindness, open-mindedness, and compassion. By promoting the values of honor, consistency, and civility, citizens can contribute to a more virtuous society.
Civic Education and the Founders' Ideals
The founders recognized the need for civic education to sustain democracy. Richard Haas emphasizes the founders' concern with faction and tribalism and the importance of cultivating virtues for self-government. Lorraine Pangal explores the influence of Aristotelian thinking on the founders' ideas of virtue and character education. She highlights the need to teach civic virtues through stories, music, and discussions that connect with the heart and emotions. The founders' views on character and education can guide the teaching of virtues such as justice, humility, industry, and order. By combining historical perspectives with a focus on the common good, citizens can learn from the founders' vision and contribute to the well-being and stability of democracy.
Practicing Civic Virtue in Daily Life
Practicing civic virtue is essential for a thriving democracy. Richard Haas emphasizes the importance of citizens taking ownership and agency in protecting and improving democracy. He suggests concrete actions like getting informed, voting, encouraging public service, and promoting civic engagement through religious and business leaders. Christopher Beam highlights the need for consistency in applying virtues across party lines and challenging biases. Lorraine Pangal underscores the significance of small communities and voluntary associations in cultivating civic virtues. By participating in local associations, schools, churches, and charities, citizens can foster the virtues of civility, kindness, open-mindedness, and compassion, contributing to a stronger democratic society.
Christopher Beem, author of The Seven Democratic Virtues: What You Can Do to Overcome Tribalism and Save Our Democracy; Richard Haass, author of The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens; and Lorraine Pangle, author of Reason and Character: The Moral Foundations of Aristotelian Political Philosophy, discuss the concepts of civic virtue and citizenship in democratic societies. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This program was originally streamed live on March 30, 2023, as part of our America’s Town Hall series.
This program was made possible through the generous support of Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers.