Currently, in American public schools generally, political science courses seem to be regularly ignored or at least de-emphasized. That is a real problem, since a constant re-education on what democracy really means in the U.S. is a requirement for maintaining what is special about American government in the world today.
Currently, with a POTUS seemingly hell-bent on forcing noxious changes to American government daily, to keep and defend American democracy, American citizens have had to work hard and think hard about how to do so.
For example, the current POTUS has tended to ignore what should be binding federal court decisions–American democracy says the three major branches of government are equal in authority–if those decisions are not to his liking.
“I’m in charge,” he regularly seems to say, “therefore I decide how things will go.” That has so far included forcing public and private colleges/universities to change their curricula based on his warped idea of what universities should be teaching. He barely earned a B.A. degree himself.
It has included forcing his name and likeness on American institutions and national symbols, i.e., the Kennedy Center, attempted name change of the Smithsonian Museum, national monuments, etc.
It has also included repeatedly ignoring federal court decisions that were against him, such as the Supreme Court ruling that his tariffs were illegal and must be stopped. He issued new tariffs instead; federal court orders to not close national news entities–he did so anyway. Also, the Supreme Court ruling that birthright citizenship is legally binding; he’s still arresting people who were born here and exiling them from the country, while blatantly ignoring the Court’s decision.
By reputation, American democracy is one of the political jewels of the modern world. Putting a strong emphasis on freedom of speech and individual rights contained in the U.S. Constitution–which all government officials are supposed to be guided by–U.S. citizens are taught to depend on those written rights and agreements.
While most other democracies in the world elect their leaders through parliamentary systems, the U.S. uses a different, two-step process to elect the POTUS: i.e., citizens have to vote in their states (under state jurisdiction, not federal), and those votes are then translated into electoral votes for the president (the Electoral College). This system blends a direct popular vote with a state-based allocation mechanism.
A big part of the modern problem, however, is that American public schools, too often today, are not emphasizing training their youth in American democracy. In order to survive and thrive, American democracy has to be constantly cultivated, like prized agriculture, and renewed.
In short, American democracy is unique because it blends broad individual freedoms, a distinctive electoral system, a strong separation of powers, federalism, and a culture of political pluralism—all rooted in enduring democratic values that have shaped its identity and global influence.
But according to the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute and other research entities, civic education in U.S. schools, which apparently began to decline significantly in the 1960s and 1970s, with federal and state governments not prioritizing it in schools and public functions for decades, is now abysmal and a gigantic worry for the immediate and long-term future of the country. Exacerbated by the current focus on STEM classes and accountability measures like No Child Left Behind (all of which are important), the Institute has documented that a whole generation of American students are graduating visibly ignorant of the political system in which they live.
Included in the Institute’s data was the observation that while most school districts–approximately 74 percent–do still offer civics at the high school level, only approximately 36 percent included civics education in elementary grades. It was also observed that most of the curricula focused narrowly on foundational knowledge, like how the government is supposed to work and the basic rights of citizens. There was little to no education on the integration of critical thinking, the analytical discussion and analysis of current events, or on participatory skills in understanding democracy and how it works (and is supposed to work) in the U.S. The Institute also observed that most instruction in civics consistently relied on memorization, straightforward textbook reading, and simple lectures. These have demonstrated minimal impact on motivating later voter turnout or civic engagement. It was further found that it was through intensive civic studies–including debates and discussions– that got students engaged and interested in current political issues, and that these were more effective at building civic interest, knowledge, and skills for the future.
The point is, American democracy is in peril. Like any specialized crop, it has to have very consistent attention in order to continue growing and surviving. That does not come free.
