Opinion: Civic education is needed for all Americans in order to maintain democracy The people who founded America educated themselves about democracy. They studied the histories of earlier civilizations and understood why they had failed. They also had experienced the reality of oppressive government.
They further understood that maintaining our new democracy required an educated citizenry. This was true in the past for the founding of American democracy, but is even more true now because the internal forces that weaken the democratic system are a continuing presence and challenge in America and the world. The civic education needed to support our democracy should begin in grade school and continue through high school and into adulthood.
It should involve actual experience in democratic processes. That means experience in holding meetings, debating policies, building consensus, and voting. It may involve strikes or protest gatherings.
The functions of the three branches of the American government and their checks and balances should be part of the education. They should also be taught the importance of political parties and learn the value of public debate. Children learn about their civil rights and human rights very quickly.
A sense of fairness is already inherent in young people. Apparently, some members of the present government do not know the meaning of “habeas corpus” or at least are pretending not to know. The right of habeas corpus dates back in history to the time of the Magna Carta in 1215.
The constitutional rights of habeas corpus and due process should be a right taught in every school. It is especially unfortunate that the Trump Administration has eliminated the Department of Education, which has the special responsibility of aiding states to maintain strong schools for everyone. An educated citizenry will recognize the legal concept of conflict of interest.
Trump has shown that he will make use of opportunities he has as the president to make money for himself and his family. This was revealed in his trip to the Middle East where multiple Trump property developments were discussed, as well as the dinner he gave for those who paid huge sums to purchase his worthless meme coin $Trump. For a long time, he has sold the use of his name to raise money and has continued this practice as president.
The research and development work at American colleges and universities is extremely important for the American economy, as well as for the benefit of humankind. Higher education has contributed greatly to the upward mobility of many people. The rights to freedom of thought, speech, and the press are also important for maintaining the high standards of educational institutions that attract people from all over the world.
While students from overseas attend American schools to study, they see and experience American democracy firsthand. This is important for spreading democratic ideas and maintaining democracies in the world. Thus, American education is important not only for maintaining American democracy, but for spreading democracy in the world.
The founders of America were aware that a corrupt autocrat like Trump might seek power in the nation and therefore created safeguards against the government coming under an autocrat. One of those safeguards was to promote education that gives attention to civic rights and freedoms. Equality under the law is a basic principle that is for everyone, including the president and all who exercise authority.
This means that American education should include the importance of court processes along with the rights of individual citizens and their organizations. Freedom of speech and the press along with the assemblies of people to protest have been especially important in affecting governmental actions, such as voting rights. More recently we are seeing masses of people who have gathered all across the country to exercise their freedom to protest the actions of Trump and his ally Elon Musk.
These protests and the elections that will follow are important educational experiences of American citizens in civic participation. The actions of the American public are also important witnesses to the world for the strength of American democracy. Many people in Russia, China, and smaller autocracies would like very much to have the rights and freedom to influence their governments, but are prevented in taking such actions.
More: Opinion: All people have a right to be treated fairly by the justice system More: Opinion: Treatment of prisoners sent to El Salvador is cruel and unusual punishment The Rev. Robert L. Montgomery, Ph.D., lives in Black Mountain.
