DOI
10.1017/9781009071536
Abstract
Whether patriotism has a valuable part to play in the educational system of a democratic society is now a highly contentious matter. This chapter argues that it does, principally because such a society is a kind of cooperative practice that requires its members to enact, enforce, and – in most cases – obey the laws that govern their self-governing polity. Democracies rely on rules, and especially the rule of law, to provide the reasonably clear expectations necessary to coordinate public activities and to overcome collective-action problems. By encouraging citizens to set aside personal advantage and play a cooperative part in democratic life, patriotism contributes to the public spirit essential to democracy. For that reason, promoting patriotic attitudes is a worthy aim of democratic education.
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
4-2023
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2023 Cambridge University Press
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Recommended Citation
Richard Dagger, "Patriotism and Democratic Education," in The Cambridge Handbook of Democratic Education, ed. J. Culp, J. Drerup, and D. Yacek, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023, pp. 377-94.