Democratic citizenship in the curriculum: some problems and possibilities

Abstract

This article reflects upon the recently published final report of the advisory group on citizenship in England and Wales, and examines the implications of this document within the context of the government's proposals for a revised national curriculum. Following a brief historical review, the article goes onto explore issues of practical relevance, by rehearsing some of the anticipated problems surrounding the implementation of citizenship as a foundation subject within the curriculum. The article then reflects upon a range of substantive issues presented within the document Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools (1998). In analysing the model of citizenship implicit within the advisory group's report, a critique of its prescriptive overtones, sociocultural perspective and nostalgic sensibilities is elaborated. Finally, the article considers the possibility of a way forward, discussing the idea of a working model of citizenship based on the Aristotlean notion of moral action.