America Is Losing Its Civic Identity

Thucydides sculpture in marble, adapted from Wikimedia / Walter Maderbacher, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Civic engagement has long been considered a central virtue of a functioning society, originating in ancient Greece and Rome.

Thucydides, frequently regarded as the progenitor of scientific history, warned that individuals who disregard public matters neglect a fundamental obligation of citizenship.

To be a true citizen of one’s nation means participating in government, engaging in public affairs at the local, state, and national levels, and helping one’s community.

One cannot contribute to society simply through their job or taxes; active engagement is required to be a virtuous citizen.

Civic life affects your economic opportunities, your income, and the direction of your life.

We’ve all heard someone say, “I don’t care about politics,” or “I am not voting in the upcoming election.” Then the next day they’re complaining about the rise in gas prices. Ignoring civic engagement is illogical because civic life shapes your daily actions and the opportunities around you, such as influencing policies that affect economic factors like gas prices.

As the Athenians said in their democracy, citizens have a responsibility to engage and acknowledge the positions of others in shaping their society.

What the Athenians said is just as true today as it was then. America could hardly be in greater need of that advice today, as youth voter turnout has fallen far below that of previous generations.

The lack of participation in local elections is particularly concerning. In Rockford, according to the Rockford Board of Elections, turnout in the Consolidated Election was just 19.45%, with 17,432 of 89,607 registered voters casting ballots. [1]

People don’t understand that local offices are just as important as national offices—some may even argue they are more important.

Local positions are often overshadowed by national and high-profile state elections. These offices include positions such as mayor, alderman, school board member, county board member, circuit judge, and township trustee, though the exact offices depend on the city or county you live in.

In my experience, schools and the education system currently fail to teach students about local positions that run for office. During my time at school, the only offices we learned about were presidents and maybe governors and senators. Local positions such as alderman, mayor, school board member, and even state legislator are mostly only covered in the news and are overshadowed by national politics. Most people just vote for whichever party is on the ballot—Democrat or Republican—and often don’t do their own research. This gap in civic education is a big reason why we founded Take Your Stand—to help young people understand the importance of local government and make informed decisions at every level.

Local politics shapes your everyday life: the roads you drive on, the businesses you visit, and the safety of the neighborhood you walk through.

There are several ways to get involved in your city’s civic life. One is by attending City Council meetings, which often have very low turnout. The dates for these meetings are usually posted on your city’s official website.

Voting is another important way to participate—this includes primary elections, general elections, and local elections. Many people skip primaries, even though that is where voters decide who will represent their party in the general election.

General elections are equally important because they determine who ultimately holds office. It is also important to study the policies of both candidates, including those from third parties and independent campaigns.

It’s important to know about local politics. Attend your city council meetings, email your alderman or mayor if you see problems or have questions, and vote in primaries, mayoral elections, and state-level elections.

And most importantly, be registered to vote, because participation means nothing if you cannot cast a ballot when the time comes.