Civic

Meaning

Civic, in a broad sense, relates to the duties, rights, and responsibilities of citizens and their engagement in public life. It encompasses the idea of active participation in a community or society to promote the common good, often through actions like voting, volunteering, or advocacy.

Context

In an educational context, "civic education" is about teaching individuals to understand their role in a democratic society, to think critically about social and political issues, and to engage meaningfully in civic life. It often includes topics like government structure, laws, citizenship, and social responsibility.

In a practical context, it applies the a type of society, or human Ecosystem were citizen participation is important and encouraged.

John Dewey

This paper examines John Dewey's philosophy on the interdependence of democracy and education. It argues that a democratic civic education is crucial in fostering responsible citizenship, especially in an era marked by uncertainty and the challenges posed by modernity. By promoting critical thinking, cooperative enterprise, and the scientific attitude, Dewey's ideas highlight the necessity for citizens to actively engage in ethical deliberations and social responsibilities, ultimately reinforcing the relationship between civic education and democratic ideals.

Rights and Duties

In theory, governments can grant rights without explicitly assigning duties, but in practice, rights and duties are deeply interconnected in any functioning society. Rights often come with implicit or explicit responsibilities to ensure that these rights can be exercised equitably and that society as a whole can function harmoniously.

• Civil Rights: The right to free speech often carries the duty to use that speech responsibly, avoiding harm to others.
• Social Rights: The right to education or healthcare may entail the duty to contribute to society through taxes or civic participation.
• Health Care: The right to health care can be considered as a social right, but not all states give this right. The duties is self care.
• Voting Rights: The right to vote implies a duty to engage in informed and responsible decision-making.

Granting rights without any corresponding duties can lead to imbalances or challenges, as the sustainability and fairness of those rights might be compromised. Governments typically aim to balance the two, fostering a society where individuals can enjoy their rights while contributing to the collective good.

Revoking rights as a result of bad behavior is a contentious issue. For example, gun rights can be removed for criminal or mental issues. Voting rights might be removed for conviction of any attempt to interfere with another's right to vote.

Importance

Democracy and be elusive to maintain. It has been found that universal suffrage and democratic elections inevitably lead to the selection of a Caesar or strong man to lead the government. Once in power, they inevitably try to change the education systems to recognize their power as democracy. Here is how one author described it:

Interest in Napoleon III's form of government was especially intense because it seemed to constituent a new and hybrid type of rule - economically progressive yet socially conservative, popular by authoritarian. ... Caesarism became the name for a modern form of democratic dictatorship, the rule of a military strongman who centralized power in his own hands, while claiming to embody the will of the people. The word was used interchangeably with "Napoleonism" or "Bonapartism" and was not necessarily a term of abuse. ... Some conservatives thanked Napoleon III;s Caesarism for restoring order.

References

Other Materials

• See the wiki page Moral Values for