In Teaching America, Paul Carrese offers an intellectual justification for reviving a reflective and discursive approach to civic education. He explores why civic education is crucial for sustaining our democratic republic and explains how a sober, yet hopeful, civics is vital to both civic learning and perpetuating the American experiment. Blending gratitude for America with civil argument about what America means, Carrese implores educators to explore civics informed by rational patriotism. In this Tocquevillean approach, civil disagreement is a feature, not a failing, of our constitutional democracy. He argues that schools, colleges, and culture must develop citizens with the knowledge and virtues to operate our civic order, seeing self-government as crucial for pursuit of happiness. Using a portrait of jazz as an American e pluribus unum this compelling case provides a hopeful renewal of civics and civic friendship needed across formal learning and civic culture.

‘With his usual clarity and force, Paul Carrese highlights why a morally formative civic education is essential to citizenship in a free society and helps us grasp how such an education might be achieved in our diverse, divided, dynamic republic. This book is just the accessible and balanced roadmap that civic educators, parents, and students have been waiting for.’

Yuval Levin - The American Enterprise Institute

‘At our 250th anniversary, Paul Carrese presents the case for an ‘investment’ in civic learning for the sake of our American constitutional democracy. It is a powerful defense of civic education anchored in reflective patriotism and civic friendship – key principles of the Educating for American Democracy framework. Paul’s courage as a conservative voice in the liberal tradition, informed by extensive scholarship, is refreshing and should be celebrated. Our response to this entreaty will shape the future of our nation.’

Louise Dube - iCivics