Civic Learning for a Democracy in Crisis.

Area of Science:

• Political Science
• Civic Education
• Sociology

Background:

• Increasing polarization and partisanship challenge American government and politics.
• A special report, "Democracy in Crisis: Civic Learning and the Reconstruction of Common Purpose," addresses these challenges.
• The project was supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a special report assessing democratic crisis and proposing solutions.
• To define and explain civic learning as a key component for democratic revitalization.
• To explore how civic learning can be revitalized through various social and institutional means.

Main Methods:

• The report synthesizes wide-ranging assessments of political polarization.
• It proposes constructive responses including information provision and institutional reforms.
• Essays explore norms, institutions, social movements, and communal innovations for civic learning.

Main Results:

• Civic learning is identified as crucial for citizens to understand collective problems and make informed decisions.
• It enhances the "democratic capability" of a population.
• Civic learning is compatible with diverse public goals and policies, occurring in various settings.

Conclusions:

• Revitalizing civic learning is essential for reconstructing common purpose and addressing democratic decline.
• A multi-faceted approach involving education, institutional reform, and value reexamination is necessary.
• Strengthening civic learning can improve the functioning of democracy in a pluralistic society.