The education ideal of the democratic citizen in Germany

Abstract

This article draws on exploratory qualitative interviews with German education policy experts. We ask whether, as Germany faces new challenges, changes have occurred in respect of the education ideal of the democratic citizen; perceived implications for civic education and schooling are also drawn out. Interviews were conducted with senior employees at a variety of key institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Agency for Civic Education. Germany’s history in the 20th century is a key reference point for the education ideal of the democratic and critical citizen. Though many interviewees state that the importance of education for democratic citizenship remains unchanged, they perceive some shifts. In a changed Germany characterized by unemployment, declining prosperity, cuts to the welfare state — and in a globalized world — children and young people need to develop new competencies. The interviewed policy experts are divided in regard to the impact of these changes on civic education. The article contextualizes results drawing on education and political science research and literature.