ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates Ernest Simon’s ideas of democratic citizenship and his campaign for a new citizenship education in relation to his ideals of liberal democracy. Unlike Fred Clarke, H. C. Dent, R. H. Tawney and Shena Simon, who focused on reforms in educational system, Ernest argued that reform of citizenship education was the foundation of a democratic and just social order. In his view, a democratic government must rely on educated citizens, who would form public opinion to urge the state to secure equal educational opportunity for all. Furthermore, in terms of the teaching of controversial issues, Ernest’s liberal approach was significantly different from left-wing thinkers like G. S. Counts and Victor Gollancz. In general, Ernest’s efforts and distinctive approach towards education for democratic citizenship, which were different from those of his contemporaries, have been discussed and acknowledged by historians. Moral qualities, in Ernest’s view, required indirect moral teaching, especially through the influence of teaching in religion, history and literature.
