The role of argument in civics education: enhancing citizenship in a transcultural society

Open Access

Abstract

Argument plays a critical role in the creation and maintenance of a civil society. How arguments function, and how arguers manage their discursive roles, is key to their enactment of citizenship. While contemporary scholarship in deliberative practices privileges the role of reason and decorum as the best means to protect civility, this essay will argue for an alternative view. The orientation toward how argument functions in civic education is thus critical in enhancing citizenship in a transcultural society.