In yesterday’s post, I listed elements of necessary political reform, beginning with reinvigorated civics instruction in the public schools.
I would understand if regular readers of this blog shrugged and attributed that particular item in the list to my abiding preoccupation with the importance of what I call “civic literacy.” Civic literacy isn’t civic engagement–important as that is. It is knowledge of America’s history, philosophy and basic legal structure.
When civic ignorance is rampant, Donald Trump can dismiss the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause as “phony” without losing the support of his base. He can repeatedly act in ways that are inconsistent with the Constitution and rule of law, and be defended by Congressmen who are confident that their constituents don’t know any better.
But civic ignorance has consequences that go well beyond Trump. I harp on the importance of basic civic knowledge because I believe it is connected to everything else that ails us–especially the growth of “identity politics,” or tribalism. I addressed that relationship in my recent book; the following paragraphs are what I wrote there, and may explain why I continue to be preoccupied with the issue.
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One of the most overlooked connections, and one that makes sensible reforms so difficult, is between low levels of civic literacy and tribalism. American citizens do not share a political history, a common religion, or a single race or ethnicity. In some precincts, citizens don’t even speak the same language. In the absence of cultural and linguistic ties, societies require what Robert Bellah called a “civil religion” through which to forge a common civic identity. In the United States, that civil religion has centered upon our constituent documents—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights—and the governing philosophy they embody, what I have elsewhere called “The American Idea.”
The tribalism fed by inequality and social media grows more pronounced in the absence of civic literacy. When Americans are ignorant of the history, philosophy and evolution of their constitutional form of government, they may share a common national geography, but they don’t share a civic identity. The absence of a common “civic religion” translates into widespread neglect of an important civic obligation, the duty to be sufficiently informed to evaluate government’s conduct of the people’s business.
Public accountability requires that those in power be forthright and detailed about laws they have enacted and other actions they have taken; it requires journalists who can adequately and accurately convey that information to the general public; and it requires citizens able to compare those laws and activities to the standards prescribed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The ability to discharge all of these tasks depends upon a basic familiarity with the nation’s history, philosophy and legal framework.
The widespread deficit of civic knowledge is not simply an impediment to personal efficacy and participation in the democratic process; it is evidence of a fundamental failure of public education. Civic ignorance impedes communication between Americans, and between Americans and their policymakers. It facilitates susceptibility to spin and propaganda. The loss of civic literacy is not confined to the voting public; American politicians on all points along the political spectrum constantly genuflect to the Constitution, and just as constantly disclose a lack of genuine (or often, even superficial) familiarity with it, let alone the two hundred plus years of jurisprudence applying its principles to ever-changing “facts on the ground.” The result is a lack of a common frame of reference that makes productive political action impossible.
I have learned by asking questions that too many of us misunderstood the required Government class in high school was the same as “Civics”; a major misunderstanding we are now learning. Government class taught the structure and power of levels of government but nothing about our rights as citizens to be protected by or to confront government agencies.
“The widespread deficit of civic knowledge is not simply an impediment to personal efficacy and participation in the democratic process; it is evidence of a fundamental failure of public education.”
This “fundamental failure of public education” has denied generations of the knowledge to protect themselves from government abuses of power or their denial of protecting ourselves from physical and financial abuses due to ignoring local basics such as zoning violations. Civic knowledge covers our involvement in protective measures from our neighborhood streets all the way up the our Constitutional rights as American citizens.
Sheila, et al, should not need to “…Harp On Our Civic Literacy” but the necessity has become more evident than ever in our history due to the current Trump/Pence administration in OUR White House.
” He can repeatedly act in ways that are inconsistent with the Constitution and rule of law, and be defended by Congressmen who are confident that their constituents don’t know any better.” Frankly, I’m not sure those Congressmen know any better.
Peggy; your last sentence speaks volumes!
We are living under the bastardization of the 1st Amendment religious protection, “Congress shall make o law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; …” The evangelical (KKK) based Republican party has us living under the rule of words from “One Tin Soldier”, the theme song from the movie “Billy Jack”:
Go ahead and hate your neighbor
Go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of Heaven
You’ll be justified in the end
“Civic literacy isn’t civic engagement–important as that is. It is knowledge of America’s history, philosophy and basic legal structure.”
Congress has “made no law respecting establishment of religion” but have brought one specific religious denomination into the Congress to enact laws reflecting that denomination thereby denying millions of citizens their civic and Constitutional religious protection. Citizens United is a misnomer as only one element of citizenry established and passed this through SCOTUS…or is the term Citizens United an oxymoron?
What sort of civic literacy education takes place in the variety of K-12 schools we have today; public (starved for funds), private, religious, charter, and “home”. Is it possible for teachers in any of these to create a hunger and thirst for civic literacy: We make jokes about the cantankerous Uncle at Thanksgiving. We repeat the mantra about refraining from discussion of politics and religion. How else do we form a civil society unless we discuss basic elements of humanity? Winning and losing is the nature of athletic events. Improving society in all activities should be the outcome of civic literacy. Religion and politics – we fail to understand and practice their relation as determined in our founding documents. Hence our tribalism.
I have noted Sheila’s admission that she has an abiding preoccupation with civic literacy, and the good news is that such concern should know no limits in time and space and I hope she remains even more “preoccupied.” The fate of the nation may ultimately depend upon more civic literacy and less phys ed and accounting in our schools. Instruction time is limited.
Thus corporations are pro-STEM exponents and humanities aficionados are, thanks to corporate propaganda and the drive to amass assets, the “sissies” on the educational slate. Those who discuss Aristotle and Plutarch are poorly paid; those who play CEO are grossly overpaid, and it appears that we have decided to reward those who make gadgets far over and above what we pay those who guide us in our interconnections as social beings (without which, parenthetically, our gadget making is impaired).
I remember reading a squib long ago in which a thoughtful professor noted that “In the end, all is philosophy.” That truism came to my mind recently when it was announced that one of the zillionaire Koch brothers had died. He is now broke, and how does his memory and reputation compare with that of others who, unlike him, were poor during their lifetimes, others such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus et al.? It may depend upon your standard for comparison as a STEM or humanities product or by some other measure, but I note that (post mortem) we have little to say about (formerly) rich dead entrepreneurs such as the Kochs, Mellons and Rockefellers and much more to say about poor dead philosophers. Perhaps the professor is correct in his view that “In the end, all is philosophy.” Perhaps.
meandering social awareness,and loss of family cohesion,and where is the knowlege over cheap rhetoric. growing up i was raised by grandparents who were very aware of the political and social norms,and would teach me,by letting me look for my own answers,but discussion was a prime importance. though i chose a life as a blue collar, i never left the fact,i only have one country,one democracy,and ill defend it. democracy depends on the people informed,discussing the issues between each other,writing the reps,and getting answers, and other views.. today, i find a silver spoon citizen,and a gold plated rep. (not all,but too many)
answers from my reps, are more in the way of a chain mail,and or just dissing your concerns.
( north dakotas reps,both fed and state,are about as bad as it gets) seems like you are now required to be on social media to have a say,and the reps,are free to distiquish their agendas over the voters. i live without social media,twit,face etc. i come here to read intelligent views,and discussions. though i may have my own views,i am here in a the working world of the middle,working class,and lower income people,and people absolutly marginalized by
the system that needs someone to kick. i talk civics with many who have the same answers,they dont care,its rigged,etc.its a result of lack ok knowledge,civics, human face to face intervention.
It would be interesting to hear from K-12 and college teachers what they do to teach civic literacy. I would guess it is most effective in interdisciplinary classes, such as English and history team taught. It also helps when students are encouraged to take action in their communities. Ultimately, however, civic literacy must be modeled, taught, and practiced in homes, neighborhoods, religious institutions, and through the media. And government leaders must invite widespread civic participation.
Families should talk about politics, but not in the ignorant ways they sometimes do. Watch PBS Newshour together, or ask your children what they’re studying in school (it’s all political–politics is everything we do together in the polis); take them with you to vote, but before you go vote, talk about how you are evaluating the issues and the candidates. It’s hard, but adults need to help young people–and each other–listen to many perspectives. Not so much “Republican” and “Democrat,” but the lived experiences of all kinds of people and groups, and the thoughtful ideas of scholars and activists.
While I agree greater civics education is a desirable and useful societal tool, I am deeply skeptical that it can stem “tribalism” here or anywhere else. Seems to me, the “other” is not a nail that you can pound down with a civics lesson hammer. Respectfully submitted.
Education needs to improve. That statement has never been and will never be untrue. There is no such thing as enough education.
That being said let me add that in my experience on politics which is admittedly limited to a few family and friends, TV and radio, this blog and Facebook blogs the problem is not those in the public education system now but those of us who left public education 40-60 years ago. To me that translates into not focusing on public education for the reason of civics or science literacy, but the means of life long learning.
I would say that the bulk of the “political problem people”, those I encounter now who are trying to end the first and greatest experiment in liberal democracy, probably weren’t the best students in public school, but are the best students of a very limited range of entertainment media for life long learning.
To me that translates into problems and therefore solution opportunities more in our entertainment sector and parenting skills to raise curious children, than public education instruction.
Those are just other challenges brought on by progress which is coupled with human population explosion.
It would be insulting and wasteful to try to address those really tough issues with a few platitudes on a blog. What I hope is that we as a society will swing around to conclusions along these lines and focus the attention and creativity of collaboration in that direction rather than beating up on teachers.
Good article by Ralph Nader. It is not just the schools that do not teach Civics or Government, our profit driven McMega Media plays their part. Medicare for All is regularly dismissed, ignored or attacked with corporate talking points.
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/25/corporate-power-wins-when-nations-civic-leaders-and-experts-are-locked-out
The McMega-Media probably makes billions every year on advertising for some drug – “You should ask your Doctor about”, as the saying goes. Now, I am being deluged by mailers and phone calls pushing some Medicare Supplement. All these mailers and phone calls carry a price tag for this marketing. Those who pay premiums for health insurance, pay for these ads. I am a Vet so my health care is through the VA.
Civic Literacy is not going to enhanced by watching FOX, CNN or MSDNC 24/7/365. These three networks are in the infotainment industry catering to their watchers, who eagerly drink up the latest Kool Aid slant they present.
The Indianapolis Star (never that good of a newspaper anyway) is all about sports, sports, sports or some new brewery or restaurant opening.
Why do you think that over the years, both political parties have flipped the script on themselves. The pre-civil rights movement Democrats do not resemble today’s Democrats, the pre-Civil War Republicans definitely do not resemble today’s Republicans.
There is one constant though, the desire to find loopholes to keep a minority gender and race in power. To be the ruling class, democracy must die! Revisionist history helps that along the way. Certain States in our union use this revisionist history. It’s kind of like Holocaust deniers, we have civil history deniers. With the rise of a window to the world you can carry around in your pocket or sitting on your lap as you relax on your sofa, the ignorant and those with a nefarious agenda holds sway over anything anyone might have learned in school concerning American civic and the civil history.
Some might like the idea of a civic agenda, because that affects everyone in the here and now. Everyone likes their streets plowed, potholes fixed, water mains reliably delivering water, streetlights, police protection, a good fire department, schools, public transportation and the like, you could even throw in medical care and utilities.
What’s being played out, in civil society, there is not equality across the board. There are those who are leaders of the civic agenda, trying to change the civil agenda. To keep groups of marginalized, to pump animus into civil society through a civic bludgeon. In other words, “this is for me and mine, not for you and yours.”
This has been in the works for a very long time. The Dixiecrat’s before during and after they defected to the Republican Party, are a prime example. It’s just a microcosm of how a certain minority group carried its desires and hatreds across political movements, wars, political parties, and religions.
It is not a democracy when a minority controls a majority, it’s not a democracy when large swaths of its citizens are demonized, it’s not a democracy if everyone is not equal, no matter that person’s particular stripe. Can it be fixed? As long as we allow states law to supersede federal control, as long as we tolerate the courts pushing a particular political agenda, as long as civic leaders allow revisionist history in their schools, there will not be change!
There is no counterargument to that “window to the world” and all of its insanity, hypocrisy, conspiracy and uncivility which drowns out so much of the good. I think, that train has left the station, or if you prefer, lots of luck getting that genie back in the bottle.
Public education, with the goal of an informed citizenry, has been replaced by a segregated system based on religion, race and class, using pubic funds to enrich the privileged who are enforcing power to themselves.
Without an informed voter, you get low turnout, voter suppression based on some twisted metric of allowable access, and gerrymandered districts. Indiana is ground zero for this move to religious, racial, class-based segregation. EdChoice and ALEC thrive in willful ignorance.
Education, redistricting reform and same day registration or vote by mail would go a long way to keeping our democratic republic just that, not an corporatocracy, oligarchy, plutocracy, kakistocracy, name your poison.
Sheila’s latest book lays out the issues and offers much food for thought, discussion and action.
As the devil’s advocate on civic literacy, I have two thoughts. First, many highly educated people, like Giuliani and Pompeo and Stephen Miller, have received many hours of this kind of schooling and yet show no sign that it shapes their thoughts. Today, that observation would seem to cover most of the Republican party.
Second, the deplorables, for the most part, remember very little of what they learned in school and practically nothing on subjects they didn’t like. How do you instill knowledge in minds unwilling or unable to accept it? Is exposure to the material the best we can do? At the risk of sounding like Kris Kobach, how about a five minute test on civic literacy at the polls, and only those who pass get to vote. And now we can fight over who gets to make up the test.
I am concerned about several things, not the least is the way supporters of 45 present information in contrast to the way I seem to understand it. The best example of this is the way 45 is blaming his problem on the illegal process of the impeachment hearings. All the talking heads at FOX et.al. are not facing the real issue and accepting responsibility for his behavior which is the cause of the hearings.
Here is my favorite part of todays blog.
“Civic liberty is about understanding our civic responsibilities and action. Here is a quote from part of todays blog.
“Public accountability requires that those in power be forthright and detailed about laws they have enacted and other actions they have taken; it requires journalists who can adequately and accurately convey that information to the general public; and it requires citizens able to compare those laws and activities to the standards prescribed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The ability to discharge all of these tasks depends upon a basic familiarity with the nation’s history, philosophy and legal framework.”
The last sentence needs to be burned into our brains.
“The ability to discharge all of these tasks depends upon a basic familiarity with the nation’s history, philosophy and legal framework.”
Sheila,
“The result is a lack of a common frame of reference that makes productive political action impossible.”
Exactly. Thus neither Democrats nor Republicans have the ability to deal with the central problem. It’s a VIRUS OF THE MIND, aka NEW STRAIN of the HITLER VIRUS, that is the underlying problem and the platform that has been releasing the virus, for the past 40 years, cannot be neutralized through bi-partisan politics.