Narratives of Civic Duty: How National Stories Shape Democracy in Asia (Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University)

In Narratives of Duty , Aram Hur investigates the impulse behind a sense of civic duty in democracies. Why, she asks, do some citizens feel a responsibility to vote, pay taxes, or take up arms in defense of one's country? Through comparing democratic societies in East Asia and elsewhere, Hur shows that the sense of obligation to be a good citizen—upon which the resilience of a democracy depends—emerges from a force long thought detrimental to democracy itself: national attachments. Nationalism's illiberal and exclusive tendencies are typically viewed as disruptive to democratic processes, but Hur argues that there is nothing inherently anti-democratic about nationalism. Rather, whether nationalism helps or hinders democracy is shaped by the historicized relationship between a national people and their democratic state. When national stories portray that relationship as one of mutual commitment, nationalism strengthens democracies by motivating widespread civic duty among citizens. Drawing on personal narratives, statistical surveys, and experiments, Narratives of Duty offers a provocative national theory of civic duty that cuts to the heart of what makes democracies thrive. In Narratives of Civic Duty , Aram Hur investigates the impulse behind a sense of civic duty in democracies. Why do some citizens feel a responsibility to vote, pay taxes, or take up arms in defense of one's country? Through comparing democratic societies in East Asia and elsewhere, Hur shows that the sense of obligation to be a good citizen—upon which the resilience of a democracy depends—emerges from a force long thought to be detrimental to democracy itself: national attachments. Nationalism's illiberal and exclusive tendencies are typically viewed as disruptive to democratic processes, but Hur argues that there is nothing inherently antidemocratic about nationalism. Rather, whether nationalism helps or hinders democracy is shaped by the historicized relationship between a national people and their democratic state. When national stories portray that relationship as one of mutual commitment, nationalism strengthens democracies by motivating widespread civic duty among citizens. Drawing on personal narratives, statistical surveys, and experiments, Narratives of Civic Duty offers a provocative national theory of civic duty that cuts to the heart of what makes democracies thrive. This book investigates the impulse behind a sense of civic duty in democracies. Why do some citizens feel a responsibility to vote, pay taxes, or take up arms in defense of one's country? Through comparing democratic societies in East Asia and elsewhere, the book shows that the sense of obligation to be a good citizen—upon which the resilience of a democracy depends—emerges from a force long thought to be detrimental to democracy itself: national attachments. Nationalism's illiberal and exclusive tendencies are typically viewed as disruptive to democratic processes, but the book argues that there is nothing inherently antidemocratic about nationalism. Rather, whether nationalism helps or hinders democracy is shaped by the historicized relationship between a national people and their democratic state. When national stories portray that relationship as one of mutual commitment, nationalism strengthens democracies by motivating widespread civic duty among citizens. Drawing on personal narratives, statistical surveys, and experiments, the book offers a provocative national theory of civic duty that cuts to the heart of what makes democracies thrive. Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Part I 1 DUTY, AGAINST THE ODDS 2 A NATIONAL THEORY OF CIVIC DUTY Part II 3 NATIONAL STORIES IN SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN 4 STRONG CIVIC DUTY IN THE NAME OF NATION IN SOUTH KOREA 5 WEAK CIVIC DUTY AND FRAGMENTED NATION IN TAIWAN Part III 6 STUNTED CIVIC DUTY IN REUNIFIED GERMANY 7 NATIONALISM AND CIVIC DUTY ACROSS THE WORLD 8 CIVIC CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY IN EAST ASIA Notes Bibliography Index Duty, Against the Odds -- A National Theory of Civic Duty -- National Stories in South Korea and Taiwan -- South Korea : Strong Civic Duty in the Name of Nation -- Taiwan : Fragmented Nation, Weak Civic Duty -- Beyond East Asia : Stunted Civic Duty in Reunified Germany -- Nationalism and Civic Duty Across the World -- Civic Challenges to Democracy in East Asia "Why do some citizens feel a sense of obligation to contribute to and participate in their states, even when costly? The book uncovers the nationalist roots of such civic duty, a vital ingredient to strong states and especially democracies"-- Provided by publisher