In Conversation - Prof Macedo, Princeton

Democratic Citizenship

In a discussion with Stephen Macedo, Professor of Politics at Princeton University, I explored why so many democracies struggle to cultivate engaged citizens. His work cuts to a paradox: we teach civics as if democracy were a settled achievement when the practice of democratic citizenship remains fragile and contested.

Macedo pointed out that most civic education focuses on institutional mechanics. Students learn how bills become laws, memorize the branches of government, and study constitutional amendments. Yet this approach misses the deeper question of what motivates people to participate in political life. Knowledge alone doesn't create engagement. Citizens need reasons to believe their participation matters.

Universities face their own contradictions here. Academic freedom protects controversial speech and unpopular ideas, which is essential for intellectual inquiry. At the same time, democratic societies require certain baseline commitments to equality and mutual respect. How do educational institutions navigate this tension without becoming either indoctrination machines or value-neutral market platforms?

One idea that resonated was Macedo's concept of constitutional patriotism. Instead of rooting national identity in shared ethnicity or cultural heritage, he argues for allegiance to democratic principles and constitutional values. This allows for critical engagement with national history while maintaining cohesion around political ideals. It's an appealing framework, though I wonder how it translates across different political cultures.

The practical side matters too. Macedo advocates for experiential learning where students actually practice civic skills through community organizing, deliberation forums, and local governance participation. These experiences matter more than abstract lectures about democratic theory. Democracy is a practice, not just a concept.

What lingers for me is the timing question. Can civic education reforms work fast enough to address the erosion of democratic norms we're witnessing globally? Or are we trying to build foundations while the structure collapses?