Agent of Democracy - Society for College and University Planning

Democracy’s Megachallenges Revisited
attempting to reconcile the professional tilt toward meritocracy with
the values of democracy. The American Bar Association (ABA) is one
example. They have prepared guides to stimulate public deliberation
on issues that concern both lawyers and citizens. 16 These deliberations
give the ABA insights into how citizens name problems. And citizens
are drawn off the sidelines by having to make decisions about how
to improve the judicial system.
I applaud civic professionalism because it recognizes the inevitable
tensions in a society that is both professional and democratic
(as ours is). But I doubt that it can be advanced by simply adding a
course on the subject in every professional school. It might be more
effective to provide students with civic experiences in associations
trying to engage citizens. And academic institutions could do more
to support scholars who are recovering the civic roots of their professions.
There is an emerging literature to build on. For instance, Claire
Snyder has written on the civic history of social science scholarship
for the Exchange, and Scott Peters has a recently edited book that
includes stories about the civic objectives of pioneers in public scholarship
at state and land-grant institutions. 17
Though not always tied to professional schools, new centers
have developed on campuses around the country for the purpose
of strengthening the ties between academic institutions and the democratic
citizenry. And their efforts have been reported in the Exchange.
More than 30 of these centers or institutes have been established on
campuses to encourage the use of public deliberation, not only by
professionals and associations but also by community groups.
The challenges facing democracy that I have cited are only three
among many. I have concentrated on those that are fundamental;
that is, those that affect the ability of democracy to function as it
16 American Bar Association, “… And Justice for All”: Ensuring Public Trust and
Confidence in the Justice System (American Bar Association, 2001).
17 R. Claire Snyder, “The Civic Roots of Academic Social Science Scholarship in
America,” Higher Education Exchange (2000): 5-16 and Scott J. Peters et al., eds.,
Engaging Campus and Community: The Practice of Public Scholarship in the State and
Land-Grant University System (Dayton, OH: Kettering Foundation Press, 2005).
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