United We Serve: National Service and the Future of Citizenship

(Paperback)

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Description

Public rhetoric in the United States has always laid heavy stress on the obligations of citizenship. Bill Clinton praised the idea of service, and so does George W. Bush. Since September 11, the debate over service and the obligations of citizenship has become even more urgent. This volume gathers many diverse voices on civic life and civic obligation to explore the idea of national service as it relates to citizenship. Activists and practitioners discuss the rise of the service movement, its practical successes and its challenges. Policymakers and political leaders explore the links between service and problem solving. Political scientists and philosophers connect the service debate to larger concerns about democratic participation. The book also includes a lively debate over how Americans think of themselves and their nation - and about what the "new patriotism" means.

Reviews

"...this compilation of essays reflects the notion that whatever the role of national service may be, altruism is not just nice; it's necessary for our survival." Kellie Lunney, GovExec.com, National Journal, 9/11/2003

Author Bio

E.J. Dionne Jr. is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, cochair of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, and a syndicated columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Kayla Meltzer Drogosz is the senior research analyst for the project on religion and civil society at the Brookings Institution. Robert E. Litan is a senior fellow in Economic Studies at Brookings and vice president for research and policy at the Kauffman Foundation.