Citizenship and Civic Leadership in America
Subtitle
Political Theory for Today
Edited by Trevor Shelley and Carol McNamara
The purpose of this volume is to discuss the concept of citizenship—in terms of its origins, its meanings, and its contemporary place and relevance in American democracy, and within a global context. The authors in this collection wrestle with the connection of citizenship to major tensions between liberty and equality, dynamism and stability, and civic disagreement and social cohesion. The essays also raise fundamental questions about the relationship between citizenship and leadership, and invite further reflection on the features of citizenship and civic leadership under the American Constitution. Finally, this collection offers various suggestions about how to revitalize citizenship and civic leadership through an education that is conducive to a renewal of American civic practices and institutions.
Praise for this book
What is a citizen? In this bountiful gathering of essays, Aristotle’s question is answered, analyzed, and made timely. Readers can expect a variety of outlook, erudition, and topic, with inspiration from the ancients and application to us uncertain moderns. Here is philosophy not self-absorbed but in its most generous aspect.
Harvey Mansfield Harvard University
The decline of citizenship and civic leadership is often lamented but rarely seriously addressed. This book takes on this crucial matter with the seriousness and analytic incisiveness it deserves. The list of authors includes many of the best writers who think about citizenship and leadership.
Marc Landy Boston College
