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5 - Dewey on Democratic Education

from Part One - Historical Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2023

By
Natalia Rogach Alexander
Edited by
Julian Culp ,
Johannes Drerup  and
Douglas Yacek
Julian Culp
Affiliation:
The American University of Paris, France
Johannes Drerup
Affiliation:
Universität Dortmund
Douglas Yacek
Affiliation:
Universität Dortmund
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Summary

What kind of characters might develop in a flourishing democratic culture? What citizen virtues are needed to safeguard democracy against its ever-present enemies? This chapter explores John Dewey’s answers to these questions and illuminates their bearing on his educational philosophy. It argues that Dewey is important not just because of his insights into “progressive” schooling, but also because of his affirming vision of the educative and enriching quality of democratic life. In our day, his conception of education for and by democracy can still serve as a vital antidote to democratic disenchantment.

Keywords

Deweydemocracyeducationpragmatismgrowth
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Democratic Education , pp. 61 - 73
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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