Missouri Chief Justice
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s back to school we go. In addition to the three R’s
(reading, writing and ’rithmetic – even though only one is really an “R”
word), I would like to advocate the teaching of civics.
Why civics? Well, perhaps we should find it disturbing that a recent Zogby
International survey found that more Americans can name the original Three
Stooges (that’s Larry, Curly and Moe, for those who had a busy, intense or
culturally deprived childhood) than can name the three branches of
government.
The same survey found that 87 percent of Americans knew the names of at
least one of the Seven Dwarfs (I only got as far as Sneezy, Grumpy and
Doc), but only 39 percent could name one of the justices of the U.S.
Supreme Court.
In our media-drenched society, where more focus seems to be placed on pop
culture than on civic education, it is much easier for our citizens to know
all of the judges on “American Idol” than any of the justices of the
Supreme Court.
To be a well-informed and effective citizen, it is not necessary to know
the names of the justices of the Supreme Court. After all, they are not
like rock stars or television stars; neither Judge Judy nor Judge Joe Brown
is one of them.
But it is essential for a well-informed and effective citizen to know there
are three co-equal branches of government – executive, legislative and
judicial – in both our state and federal governments, and to at least
understand the role those Supreme Court justices serve.
Significantly, the Judicial Branch is referred to as “the least understood
branch.” Its well-known roles include conducting trials for those accused
of crimes, setting punishment for those who are guilty of crimes, and
resolving a wide variety of disputes – including contracts, marriage and
child custody issues, probate, personal injuries and so forth. In these
cases, courts allow people to resolve their disputes without resorting to
violence. These well-accepted institutions for peacefully resolving
disputes are one of the hallmarks of our civilization.
The courts’ least understood role is that of protecting citizens from the
overreaching of government. The genius of the American system of laws is
that the three branches of government serve as checks and balances for one
another. The least understood branch – the Judiciary – fulfills a vital
role in upholding the rule of law in our democracy. It is worth studying.
Missouri is fortunate to have many dedicated teachers ready, willing and
able to transmit these important lessons to the next generation of
citizens. To help these teachers, The Missouri Bar has become the hub of
some very strong law-related education programs, including an annual
civic-education conference for schools. It also has excellent instructional
resources, including lesson plans for a variety of programs and a free
video-lending library for teachers, available through the Bar’s website,
www.mobar.org. Missouri’s judges and lawyers across the state have been
volunteering to bring instruction and programs about law and the legal
system to our state’s classrooms.
Congress recently mandated that schools teach about the United States
Constitution on Constitution Day, September 18. Much has been written about the “no child left behind law” that tests students in a variety of
subjects. Civics, the study of our government – knowledge necessary for us
to be good citizens – is not among the subjects covered. Perhaps that is
why – according to another recent survey – that only half of our young
people believe it is even necessary to pay attention to politics and
government to be a good citizen.
No single program can divert our nation’s attention from its infatuation
with celebrities and pop culture, and one day of focus on civic education
will not be enough, but it’s a start. Last year was the first year the
Constitution Day requirement was in effect. Many Missouri judges and
lawyers took that opportunity to help schools meet the Constitution Day
requirement. I hope their efforts will be renewed and perhaps even
expanded.
Reading, writing and arithmetic are essential for young people to learn to
function in our society’s economic system. Similarly, a basic understanding
of civics is essential for them to function effectively as citizens in our
democratic republic.
“Our Constitution is neither a self-actuating nor a self-correcting
document,” Richard Beeman, professor and dean at the University of
Pennsylvania, said. “It requires the constant attention and devotion of all
citizens.”
Just as children should not be left behind, neither should the constitution
be left behind … nor misunderstood. All of us – regardless of whether we
are back in school this fall – should take an active interest in learning
about and striving to understand our system of government. The future of
our republic depends on it.