Civic education in the United States: Lessons for the UK

This article takes a critical look at civic education development in the United States - from the time of the Founding Fathers up to the present. It examines the historical challenges which have shaped the reasoning and changes made to civic education. Importantly, it re-examines the quandary of political socialisation versus political education (teaching what to think versus teaching how to think) within the realm of civic education. The contemporary challenges faced by the US in its undertaking to develop knowledgeable, active citizens, is one faced by many other countries today, including the UK. The US experience and methods may not be transferable to all countries but it provides a starting point for debates on civic education development - the philosophy behind its creation, curriculum development and delivery, programmes and approaches, and other resources.