Miller Hudson
Harvard professor Danielle Allen, who was briefly a candidate for governor of Massachusetts last year, is spearheading a national campaign to restore a central role for civics instruction in American educational curricula. Last week The New York Times devoted two pages to civics programs offered by major employers across Western democracies, primarily in Europe now but expanding recently into the United States. Though currently voluntary, it’s not hard to imagine they might make the leap to mandatory as did gender- and ethnic-sensitivity trainings along with diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) workshops.
Former President Donald Trump reflected the alarm such discussions generate among conservatives when he issued executive orders forbidding DEI trainings at federal agencies, a policy since reversed by President Joe Biden. I can only imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will follow any effort to require civics instruction in workplaces. An honest examination of our founding documents and socio-political history would be sure to stir up disagreements that could disturb the emotional tranquility of some employees. What was the economic role of slavery? Who was responsible for maintaining it? Were the recent civil rights struggles of blacks, women and LGBT+ Americans a good thing, or not? Do we remain a racist society?
So, why you might ask, are major employers willing to risk stirring this pot? One German company explained pro-democracy training, “…dovetailed with its own aim of strengthening democratic values and making its employees more resilient (against disinformation).” The Times went on to note, “Businesses are finding they need to bolster their employees in the face of increasingly vitriolic political debate… conspiracy theories and hate speech.” These workshops are commonplace in democracies that have not yet achieved the same virulence of polarization we have witnessed on this side of the Atlantic. Nonetheless, as a matter of corporate strategy, they have concluded stable democracies offer the best environment for their profitability and security. Sooner or later, authoritarian regimes can be expected to arrive in the C suite with directives for management behavior.
Stay up to speed: Sign-up for daily opinion in your inbox Monday-Friday
Ignorance of civics is not a recent issue in America. Forty years ago, after I was first elected to the Colorado legislature, I would encounter neighbors at the North Denver Safeway where I shopped who asked how I was enjoying my time in Washington. I would have to explain I was not commuting to Washington but reporting to work under the Gold Dome at the State Capitol. I also received inquiries about fixing potholes, adding stop signs or delays with trash collection and would refer these to our city councilman, Bill Scheitler. Then a resident had to physically contact elected officials by telephone, letter or office visit. In our new, digital world messages can be transmitted with a few keystrokes, including the forwarding of wild conspiracy theories as attachments.
Discerning truth from fiction is becoming increasingly difficult. Artificial Intelligence-created deepfake videos will make this more difficult. According to the Pew Research Center, just 17% of voters feel they can trust Washington officials to do the right thing today. Oddly enough, the Times also reported, “Business is viewed as the one institution that is both ethical and competent, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer.” Faith in Congress has shriveled to single digits. We find ourselves in the unlikely position where businesses are required to serve as the major stabilizing force for preserving American democracy. Fortunately, they appear to have wakened to the fact the populist tribunes of the far-right are not their friends and probably never were. A few civics workshops begin to sound like a good thing.
Historically, the business community has limited its public policy complaints to issues of taxation, regulation and permitting. For large, multi-nationals these are often more grumbles than pleas. They enjoy the resources and financial reserves to tolerate bureaucratic nuisances, even interference. For smaller enterprises, however, over-regulation and hoop-jumping can threaten their survival. Take affordable housing as an example. Major builders aren’t likely to fool with this sliver of the housing market that produces minimal margins. It’s smaller, specialty builders who are most likely to tackle these challenges and are more likely to be tripped up by zoning, parking and building standards designed for large, intrusive developers — not to mention building inspectors harboring an enforcement, rather than an enabling, mindset.
The U. S. Constitution was designed to serve the needs and preferences of an informed electorate — informed regarding current events, informed about geo-political friends and adversaries, aware of the proper locus for civic responsibilities, cognizant of the principle behind the separation of powers and a familiarity with our elected representatives. Pew reports fewer than half of voters indicate they follow the news closely. Democracy was not intended for observers. It demands participation from the age of 18 all the way to the grave. Civics education is a process. We can’t claim, “I’ve had it.” It’s just like the flu shot. We need a booster every year.
Miller Hudson is a public affairs consultant and a former Colorado legislator.
