The Bill of Obligations

1. Democracy requires both rights and obligations from citizens

The central argument of this book is that American democracy will endure only if obligations join rights at the core of a widely shared understanding of citizenship.

Rights alone are insufficient. Democracy thrives on a delicate balance between individual rights and collective responsibilities. While rights protect individual freedoms, obligations ensure the smooth functioning of society. These obligations include:

• Being informed about political issues
• Participating in the democratic process
• Respecting the rule of law
• Contributing to the common good

Mutual accountability is key. Citizens must hold each other and their government accountable for upholding both rights and obligations. This reciprocal relationship forms the foundation of a robust democracy, where individual liberties are protected while collective interests are served.

2. Being informed is crucial for a functioning democracy

An informed citizen is someone who understands the fundamentals as to how the government and the economy and society operate, the principal challenges facing the country at home and abroad, and the contending options or policies for dealing with those challenges.

Knowledge empowers citizens. Being informed allows individuals to:

• Make educated voting decisions
• Hold elected officials accountable
• Contribute meaningfully to public discourse
• Resist manipulation and misinformation

Diverse, credible sources are essential. To stay informed, citizens should:

• Read reputable newspapers and magazines
• Follow nonpartisan fact-checking organizations
• Engage with diverse viewpoints
• Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate information

Continuous learning about political processes, current events, and historical context enables citizens to actively shape their democracy rather than passively accept the status quo.

3. Active participation is essential for preserving democratic values

Democracy cannot be a spectator sport. Passivity and opting out simply allow others to choose for you, which almost certainly means advancing their preferences rather than your own.

Engagement takes many forms. Active participation includes:

• Voting in all elections, local to national
• Attending town halls and community meetings
• Volunteering for campaigns or civic organizations
• Contacting elected representatives
• Engaging in peaceful protests or demonstrations

Every action counts. Even small acts of civic engagement contribute to the overall health of democracy. By participating, citizens:

• Ensure their voices are heard
• Shape policy decisions
• Strengthen community bonds
• Set an example for future generations

Remember that democracy is not a fixed state but a continuous process that requires ongoing effort and involvement from all citizens.

4. Compromise is necessary for democratic progress

Compromise inevitably involves risk. There will always be those who opt for purity over progress. They will insist that any compromise is a sellout. The flaw in such thinking is that what from their perspective is necessary is not achievable.

Pragmatism over perfectionism. In a diverse society, compromise is often the only path to progress. It involves:

• Finding common ground among differing viewpoints
• Prioritizing achievable goals over ideological purity
• Recognizing that incremental change can lead to significant long-term progress

Compromise builds bridges. By embracing compromise, we:

• Foster a culture of cooperation
• Reduce political polarization
• Create more stable and lasting solutions

However, compromise should not come at the expense of fundamental principles or values. The challenge lies in distinguishing between essential beliefs and negotiable positions.

5. Civility enables constructive dialogue in a diverse society

Civility greatly decreases the chances that disagreements will spill over into violence.

Respect fosters understanding. Civility in public discourse involves:

• Listening to opposing viewpoints with an open mind
• Focusing on ideas rather than personal attacks
• Using respectful language even in disagreement
• Seeking common ground where possible

Civility strengthens democracy. By maintaining civility, we:

• Encourage broader participation in public debates
• Create an environment where diverse ideas can flourish
• Build trust between different groups in society
• Reduce the risk of political violence

Remember that civility does not mean avoiding difficult conversations or compromising one's principles. Instead, it provides a framework for engaging in constructive dialogue even on contentious issues.

6. Rejecting violence upholds the foundations of democracy

Regular, widespread uses of force that cannot be turned back by rightful authorities threaten democracy and even the country.

Violence undermines democratic processes. Rejecting violence is crucial because:

• It preserves the rule of law
• It maintains public trust in institutions
• It allows for peaceful resolution of conflicts
• It protects vulnerable groups from intimidation

Alternatives to violence exist. Citizens can address grievances through:

• Legal channels and courts
• Peaceful protests and demonstrations
• Civil disobedience in extreme cases
• Engagement with elected representatives

By consistently rejecting violence as a means of political expression, society reinforces the legitimacy of democratic institutions and processes.

7. Respecting democratic norms strengthens institutions

Norms are the unwritten traditions, rules, customs, conventions, codes of conduct, and practices that reduce friction and brittleness in a society.

Norms are democracy's lubricant. They include:

• Accepting election results
• Peaceful transitions of power
• Respecting the independence of the judiciary
• Maintaining transparency in government

Norms complement laws. While laws provide the framework for democracy, norms:

• Fill gaps where laws are silent
• Promote ethical behavior beyond legal requirements
• Foster trust in democratic institutions
• Ensure smooth functioning of government

Upholding these norms requires constant vigilance from citizens and leaders alike. When norms erode, the very foundations of democracy can be threatened.

8. Promoting the common good balances individual and collective interests

Equal opportunity is not to be equated or confused with equal outcomes.

Balance is key. Promoting the common good involves:

• Ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens
• Maintaining a social safety net
• Investing in public infrastructure and services
• Balancing individual rights with collective responsibilities

Shared prosperity strengthens democracy. By promoting the common good, we:

• Reduce social tensions and inequality
• Increase social mobility
• Foster a sense of shared purpose
• Create a more resilient society

However, this does not mean enforcing equal outcomes for all. The goal is to create a level playing field where individual effort and merit can still lead to differentiated success.

9. Government service deserves respect and engagement

We should therefore want the best and brightest among us to work in government, be it for a time or for a career.

Public service is noble. Respecting government service involves:

• Recognizing the importance of public sector work
• Encouraging talented individuals to pursue government careers
• Supporting fair compensation for public servants
• Holding public officials to high ethical standards

Engagement improves governance. By respecting and engaging with government service, we:

• Attract skilled professionals to public roles
• Improve the quality of public services
• Increase trust in government institutions
• Create a more responsive and efficient government

This respect should be balanced with healthy skepticism and vigilance to ensure accountability and prevent abuses of power.

10. Civics education is vital for democratic sustainability

A solid civics education would provide the basics as to the structure of government (the three federal branches, and state and local government, along with their scale and cost), how it operates (or is meant to operate) within and between the branches, and those terms and ideas fundamental to understanding American democracy.

Knowledge empowers citizens. Comprehensive civics education should cover:

• The structure and functions of government
• The rights and responsibilities of citizenship
• The history and evolution of democratic institutions
• Critical thinking skills for evaluating political information

Education sustains democracy. By prioritizing civics education, we:

• Create more informed and engaged citizens
• Strengthen democratic participation
• Improve the quality of public discourse
• Ensure the long-term sustainability of democratic institutions

Civics education should be a lifelong process, beginning in schools and continuing through adult life, adapting to the changing landscape of democracy.

Last updated: November 17, 2024