Background: Cosmopolitans and their critics often imagine a spectrum of affinities--concentric circles of belonging reaching from the self and family to the ethnic group, the nation and, finally, to all humanity. Debates over the role schools should play in educating "world citizens" versus national patriots follow suit: Should educators work to…

This paper suggests that the concept of "democratic citizenship education" must be expanded and deepened. The conventional conception excludes the key ideas of the social and cultural dimensions of citizenship and the central tension of social life--unity/difference. The paper features the following areas: (1) "Essentially Contested Concepts"; (2)…

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…