American Democracy

“An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.”

Thomas Jefferson never spoke these words, though the statement is often attributed to him. Still, he might just as well have, since like many of the country’s founders, he understood the deep connection between education and a people’s ability to live freely under a system of self-governance. For Jefferson, education, or the “diffusion of knowlege [sic],” as he put it, was nearly synonymous with democracy. “No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom, and happiness.”

The importance of education to American democracy would seem obvious. In a democratic society, individuals must be able to think critically and analyze information, to evaluate arguments and make reasoned decisions about political and social issues, especially when they vote or participate in public affairs. College plays a crucial role in teaching these skills. But more than that, college also fosters greater civic engagement by educating citizens about their rights and responsibilities, by engaging them in discussions about governance, law, and public policy, and by cultivating a sense of civic duty and a commitment to active participation in democracy through service-learning programs and other forms of civic involvement.

Today, we live in a so-called information age in which knowledge, at least in theory, is more widely available than ever. Who needs college when you can learn anything on YouTube? And yet, the advent of the internet, social media, and the budding technologies of artificial intelligence have in some ways had the opposite effect, fostering an environment in which misinformation, deliberate falsehoods, and deeply polarized opinions now dominate our public conversations—so much so that the functioning of democracy itself seems to be imperiled.

If Americans hope to continue living in a healthy democracy characterized by a respect for truth, informed debate, and rational decision making, then we will need strong colleges to help teach the critical thinking skills, analytical abilities, and commitment to civic engagement that make democracy possible.