The Good Citizen: A History of American Civic Life.

Abstract

In 1996, less than half of all eligible voters bothered to vote. Fewer citizens each year follow government and public affairs regularly. Is popular sovereignty a failure? Not necessarily, argues Michael Schudson in this history of citizenship in America. This work sees American as evolving from a politics of assent in colonial times and 18th century, in which voting generally reaffirmed social hierarchy of community; to a politics of affiliation in 19th century, in which party loyalty was paramount for good citizen. Progressive reforms around turn of century reduced power of parties and increased role of education, making way for informed citizen, which remains ideal in American civil life at end of 20th century. A fourth model, the rights-bearing citizen, supplements informed citizen model and makes courthouse as well as voting booth a channel for citizenship. From Civil Rights movement on, rights-consciousness has thrust into everyday life. This message seeks to counter recent claims that American civic life has declined because participation in traditional civically oriented associations has declined.