The capacity for civic engagement : public and private worlds of the self

How do we form a connection to the ideals and institutions of public life? This connection is sometimes expressed in the language of civic engagement, public service, and commitment to the public good. While we do not lack for literature to guide us in thinking about public life, we have less to call on when our problem is not only to explore public ideals and institutions, but also to consider the nature and origin of our capacity to make a connection with and find meaning in those institutions and ideals. Levine explores the nature and origin of this capacity to form a connection and find meaning. "Considering the historical moment we are living through and the current policy debates and political challenges for an ostensibly polarized America, David Levine asks some fundamental questions not asked presently by most economists, political scientists, policy analysts and academics, politicians, and public administrators - questions that ought to be at the forefront of the present dialogue in American politics. The author gives us a persuasive conceptual framework for understanding the paradox of civic engagement in the liberal state." - Michael A. Diamond, Professor and Director, Center for the Study of Organizational Change, Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri "This is a book about how we form a connection to the ideals and institutions of public life, a connection sometimes expressed in the language of civic engagement, public service, and commitment to the public good. While we do not lack for literature to guide us in thinking about public life, we have less to call on when our problem is not only to explore public ideals and institutions, but also to consider the nature and origin of our capacity to make a connection with and find meaning in those institutions and ideals. Levine explores the nature and origin of this capacity to form a connection and find meaning"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-9 Civic Engagement....Pages 11-62 Engagement and Trust....Pages 63-89 Subjectivity and Mourning....Pages 91-103 Tolerance....Pages 105-123 Diversity....Pages 125-144 Teaching and Learning....Pages 145-167 Common Ground....Pages 169-176 Back Matter....Pages 177-192 Machine generated contents note: Civic engagement * Engagement and trust * Subjectivity and Mourning * Tolerance * Diversity * Teaching and Learning * Common ground.