A RAFT OF HOPE - DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION AND THE CHALLENGE OF PLURALISM

The Los Angeles riots illustrate how a pluralistic society can come apart once its members lose faith in its moral character. The cynicism and despair so evident in our cities challenge moral educators to nurture in the coming generation a belief and hope in the transformative power of democratic institutions. Effective democratic moral education requires that teachers provide experience in democratic problem-solving. In this article we use examples from two Just Community programmes in urban settings, the recently established YES program and the Cluster School, to illustrate how democratic participation can enkindle democratic faith and foster integration across racial and social class divisions.