Teachers as Democracy's Guardians: Confronting Authoritarianism and promoting Global Democratic Values

• In Event: Democratic Reimaginings: Education as a Site of Justice

Abstract

Neutrality in the classroom is both unrealistic and undesirable considering education is an inherently social and political activity. Considering the rise of authoritarianism across the global landscape, teachers and teacher educators must contend with the increasing pressures to remain neutral in the classroom, though neutrality signifies a surrender to the status quo. Education has a role in guarding against authoritarianism and promoting global democracy. Teachers and teacher educators must realize education is inherently political and there is an ethical responsibility to not remain neutral in troubling times. This article draws upon the ideals of the Progressive Education Movement promoting the role of schools as hubs of critical democratic thought and a tool for pro-democratic anti-fascist resilience. This resilience begins by fostering dialogic spaces focused on global democracy, ideas associated with human flourishing, and democratic resistance to extremism.

Author

• Jamie Craig Atkinson, Missouri State University