Bridging Trust in Citizenship

When we think about democracy, the first image that comes into our mind is American society. Every society has its own set of values and ideals and America culture emphasis on civic solidarity. Song article “What does it mean to be an American?” by Sarah Song poses a crucial question that affects all citizens of the United States. Solidarity is the most fundamental aspect of being an American. It means coming together for the common good. I find this definition comprehensive since being an American entails being committed to a political ideology center on liberty, equality, and republicanism. I like the way Song also acknowledges how the United States history of racial and ethnic exclusion has made it had to achieve solidarity. Song has made me realize that being an American means living in solidarity, which entails including all citizens regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or race as well as making a deliberate effort to relate with each other.

Dig deeper into Local Democracy in England with our selection of articles.

Danielle Allen`s “Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education” is a fascinating book that proposes techniques for bridging citizenship and trust through sacrifice. It is incredible the way Allen illustrates the persistent problem of interracial distrust in the United States and how it hinders efforts of realizing democratic citizenship. The author narrates how we have developed collective anxiety, which has shaped our current society. Allen makes her ideas relatable by providing personal narratives from her neighborhood in Chicago.

Charles Taylor`s “A Tension in Modern Democracy” shows how various aspects of modern society are causing problems to democracy. After reading the article, it is clear that Taylor is an endangered philosopher who believes in liberal democracy and multiculturalism as crucial to achieving inclusion. The author recognizes that individual liberty and prosperity, as well as mutual benefits, are essential in western democracies.