There are several items that are rarely mentioned that I consider to be essential. These are the duties I think should be in all the lists and on all citizens minds.
- Protest: Our country was founded on this concept. It should be considered an essential form of citizen participation.
- Oppose unjust laws: Our government was designed with checks and balances. The citizenry is the last resort check against laws enacted not in the best interest of the people.
- Participate in the census: As a kid, I just assumed everyone participated in the Census. As an adult, it shocked me that there are people who go out of their way not to be counted. Effective government requires knowing who are the governed.
- Fight corruption: This is a fight that will never end. However, to the degree that we can eliminate this problem directly improves our democracy. It is a fight we must all engage in, in my humble opinion.
- Engage with other communities: I have not seen this item in every list. I should. It may be the most important action one can take in the effort of improving relations between people and minimizing misunderstandings based on cultural or political differences.
- Learn about and support aboriginal peoples: I’ve not encountered many lists citing learning about and support for aboriginal/native peoples. I believe that is a shame. I once heard someone say that one of the defining characteristics of an advanced nation is how well it treats it’s indigenous population. I think one of the greatest sins, yet to be resolved, is our nations treatment of aboriginal Americans. I think it is a duty of all American citizens to help right these past wrongs.
- Travel: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” “Travel makes you realize that no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn.” I’m not sure which of these quotes best illustrates the importance of travel in building an informed citizen, so I’ll just include both. Experiencing other countries first hand is a sure way to appreciate and understand your own that much better. Moreover, if you think yourself a global citizen, traveling the globe is a sure way to act as one.
- Understand your countries history: There is a reason we are required to take history in school. The following quotes illustrate why a good citizen has a good sense of what has already transpired, and how to use that knowledge to foresee what may yet occur.
- “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
- “Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.”
- “History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveller.”
- Understand how government works: This item is the one I am most surprised isn’t mentioned on every list and by every person who is asked, what it takes to be a good citizen. In conversations with people, I am shocked how little people understand of the actual process of governing. No judgement here. Part of the reason I am undertaking this project is that I recognize in myself a substantial lack of deep understanding of our political and governmental process. I believe all good citizens eliminate, or at least work to erase those gaps in understanding.
- Go against your own personal interest if in best interests of the country: I’ve only seen this item listed once. I believe the reason I’ve only seen it listed once is that it is very idealistic – almost to the point of being unrealistic. That said, this whole endeavor is an exercise in idealism, so let’s take it all the way, and call this item a full on duty.
I think every one of these items is a firm duty of a ‘good’ citizen. While I don’t see them on every list of duties I’ve found, they all make my list.
Photo by Anthony Tori on Unsplash
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