by E. J. Dionne
First published 2003
America grapples with citizenship and service in the wake of national tragedy. Political figures from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush champion service ideals, while activists document the service movement's victories and obstacles. Policymakers examine how service addresses national problems. Scholars connect civic participation to democratic health. The debate grows heated over mandatory national service, with contributors like Senator John McCain, Representative Charles Rangel, and dozens of experts weighing in. The discussion reveals deeper questions about American identity and the meaning of modern patriotism. Through diverse perspectives from practitioners, politicians, and philosophers, the book captures a nation wrestling with what citizens owe their country and each other.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, current-affairs, activism, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: diverse-perspectives, wrestling-with-identity
Period: 21st Century
327 pages · Hardcover · Brookings Institution Press