Schools of Democracy

Schools of Democracy: American Federalism and Civic Education provides a fresh analysis of the continuing relevance of American federalism in shaping and maintaining civic life in the United States. This book responds to the need for more attention to the two-way relationship between federalism and civics in the United States, bridging the gap between recent scholarship on American federalism and current debates in civics and civic education, and providing a source for improved public dialogue on the role of the states in advancing civic education in the twenty-first century. With contributions from leading scholars in political science, philosophy, history, law, and education, the volume addresses a wide range of topics, including the problem of civic formation amid diversity; the relationship between civic virtue and the Constitution; state constitutions and citizenship education; the empirical relationship between federalism and civic health; local government and civic education standards; the role of state universities in cultivating a national civic identity; the rise of state-created centers for civic education; the role of federal and state courts in making civics preparation a high priority; the nationalization of parties and the erosion of civic engagement; and how schools can more effectively center federalism in civic education. Taken as a whole, the chapters demonstrate why a renewed attention to federal principles offers a vital framework for addressing polarization, rebuilding trust, and reinvigorating civic life. Bringing together scholars from a wide range of perspectives and scholarly disciplines, the book aims to initiate a broader public discussion of the practical ways in which states and local governments can be stronger and more productive partners in the effort to reverse the decay in American public life. Schools of Democracy will be of great interest to students and scholars of political science, history, philosophy, public policy, education, and constitutional law, as well as teachers, lawmakers, and those working in various civic centers across the United States.