ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines American politics from the perspective of an anxious consumer seeking to understand the political world, and to change it for the better. The author raises a question towards his students - Are you a good citizen? Invariably the response is an overwhelming yes. A few dissenters in the crowd, however, state rather sheepishly that they aren't very good citizens. The author begins to build the case that being a good citizen somehow involves a relationship between people and their government. He reminds them that if democracy is to be preserved, it will require that the people who live in that democracy, the citizens, take responsibility for their government. The government which includes participating in public affairs, supporting the institutions of government, working to solve public problems, and protecting this system of popular rule from those who would weaken it or destroy it.
