Publications
Publications
- April 2024
- Journal of Democracy
America’s Crisis of Civic Virtue
By: Arthur C. Brooks
Abstract
The world is witnessing a loss of faith in both capitalism and democracy, which seemed nearly unimaginable just a generation ago. Many blame “the other party.” Others blame capitalism’s flaws, as market systems increase inequality, which is inherently undemocratic — and believe the solution is to strengthen government control and weaken market forces in modern economies. This conclusion is incorrect: In fact, capitalism naturally reinforces democracy, but both are under attack by a decline in civic virtue, in the form of honesty and civility, in politics, the media, academia, and other institutions. The reestablishment of civic virtue should be our priority.
Keywords
Capitalism; Political Culture; Civil Society or Community; Economic Systems; Government and Politics; Values and Beliefs
Citation
Brooks, Arthur C. "America’s Crisis of Civic Virtue." Journal of Democracy 35, no. 2 (April 2024): 23–39.