Civic Education: The Backbone of Democracy
A Guest Column from State Senator Mark Romanchuk
November 15, 2022
Mark Romanchuk News
An educated citizenry is one of the foundations of a thriving, strong, and healthy republic. Knowing the fundamental structures and founding principles of our American Republic produces engaged and effective citizens who contribute to, and support, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Supporting civic education in our young citizens prepares our state and our nation for future success. As we head deeper into the 21st century and face increasing challenges, both Ohio and our country will rely on civic education.
Civic education provides students with the knowledge needed to protect our republic and uphold our Constitution while also contributing to the needs of the community around them. Civic-minded citizens are more likely to vote, volunteer, speak publicly, communicate with their government officials, and become the next generation of civic leaders.
The consequences of not providing quality civic education are enormous. Institutions are undermined through ignorance, leading to pervasive distrust through all levels of government. Without proper development of critical thinking about current events, young minds are easily influenced by politically polarized thinking or dissuaded from engaging at the ballot box.
Lastly, a lack of civic education leads to weak national security, as noted in a recent article by the Wall Street Journal—citizens are less willing to fight and serve their nation if they do not believe in its principles.
In the state of Ohio, the development of a civic-minded society leads to a well-informed and active citizenry willing to uphold the underpinnings of our government, allowing our state and constitutional republic to flourish. From Ulysses S. Grant to the Wright brothers to John Glenn, active and educated citizens have always contributed greatly to our society and have allowed Ohio to become the great state that it is today.
The civic education of our next generation of leaders begins now. Opportunities abound to provide a hands-on civics education, whether it is sitting in on a local city council meeting, volunteering, studying our nation’s important historical documents, or writing your local state senator a letter. A civic-minded, healthy, and fruitful society requires us all to place increased importance on civic education and prepare today’s civic leaders.
Supporting civic education in our young citizens prepares our state and our nation for future success. As we head deeper into the 21st century and face increasing challenges, both Ohio and our country will rely on civic education.
Civic education provides students with the knowledge needed to protect our republic and uphold our Constitution while also contributing to the needs of the community around them. Civic-minded citizens are more likely to vote, volunteer, speak publicly, communicate with their government officials, and become the next generation of civic leaders.
The consequences of not providing quality civic education are enormous. Institutions are undermined through ignorance, leading to pervasive distrust through all levels of government. Without proper development of critical thinking about current events, young minds are easily influenced by politically polarized thinking or dissuaded from engaging at the ballot box.
Lastly, a lack of civic education leads to weak national security, as noted in a recent article by the Wall Street Journal—citizens are less willing to fight and serve their nation if they do not believe in its principles.
In the state of Ohio, the development of a civic-minded society leads to a well-informed and active citizenry willing to uphold the underpinnings of our government, allowing our state and constitutional republic to flourish. From Ulysses S. Grant to the Wright brothers to John Glenn, active and educated citizens have always contributed greatly to our society and have allowed Ohio to become the great state that it is today.
The civic education of our next generation of leaders begins now. Opportunities abound to provide a hands-on civics education, whether it is sitting in on a local city council meeting, volunteering, studying our nation’s important historical documents, or writing your local state senator a letter. A civic-minded, healthy, and fruitful society requires us all to place increased importance on civic education and prepare today’s civic leaders.