ABSTRACT
The concept of "identity", while a subject of sociological and psychological theories, has become an important question for philosophers. It is an accepted, long-standing principle of human development and identity formation that a self-assured, holistic personal identity is essential to any outwardly directed external activity, such as the formation of the civic identity. Agency and efficacy are intended to overcome the potentially debilitating vulnerability inherent in the human condition. The identity cycle depicts the intimate nature of social studies education by recognizing that all humans have a drive to authenticity and autonomy that must be nurtured as part of identity formation. The innate drive to autonomy creates the conflict between individual freedom and the duty to the collective needs of society in the modern democratic state. The aim of a social studies education should be that all its students end up being autonomous and understand that autonomy is a prerequisite to authenticity.
