Promoting good citizenship

"Promoting Good Citizenship" by Viscount James Bryce is a scholarly treatise written in the early 20th century. This book focuses on the responsibilities and challenges of being an active citizen in a democratic society, discussing the societal and personal obstacles to good citizenship such as indolence, self-interest, and party spirit. In the text, Bryce elaborates on the implications of civic duty, arguing that many citizens exhibit civic apathy due to a variety of factors, including the overwhelming size of modern states that diminishes individual contributions, the decline of righteous indignation towards corruption, and the distractions of contemporary life. He presents remedies for these civic deficiencies, advocating for education and moral development as essential tools for creating a more engaged citizenry. Bryce emphasizes the importance of active participation in governance, suggesting that citizens must not only cast votes but also reflect on their choices and seek to uplift their fellow citizens in understanding civic responsibilities. Overall, the book serves as a call to action for individuals to embrace their roles in democratic society and work towards fostering a robust sense of civic duty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce,, was a British academic, jurist, historian, and Liberal politician. According to Keoth Robbins, he was a widely traveled authority on law, government, and history whose expertise led to high political offices culminating with his successful role as ambassador to the United States, 1907–13. In that era, he represented the interests of the vast British Empire to the United States. His intellectual influence was greatest in The American Commonwealth (1888), an in-depth study of American politics that shaped the understanding of America in Britain and in the United States as well.