In recent years a greater emphasis has been placed on how nation states socialise and prepare the next generation of citizens. Schools have a key role in this essential educational process. Citizenship and democracy figure prominently on education agendas around the world, in response to the considerable challenges facing many modern democracies. These challenges include concerns about political disengagement, devolution of political power, the implications of global interdependence, youth unemployment and fears about the lack of social cohesion in our increasingly diverse and complex societies. The state of research, policy and practice understanding in these areas receives continuing attention internationally, yet the connection between these three fields remains neglected. However, further progress in education for democratic citizenship is, in part, dependant on the search for structural understanding between them. The approach taken in this edited compilation is to integrate the three perspectives around three themes: Democratic Schooling, Teaching Controversial Issues and Accountability. The scholars and school leaders who have contributed to this volume do so from a wide international perspective. Democratic Citizenship in Schools is essential reading for policy makers, researchers, students and practitioners who are keen to know about the way in which schools can develop democratic forms of citizenship - a most challenging and fundamental question for our times.

'This interesting book is based on an international seminar series at Edinburgh University organised by the recently formed Citizenship and Democracy Network of the Scottish Educational Research Association. The editors are from the university's Moray House School of Education, and there's a distinctly Scottish flavour to many of the chapters. But the issues they discuss have universal relevance. In their introduction, the editors contend that citizenship education is central to debates about the purposes of schooling, and has the potential to help young people get to grips with the challenges of our times. Yes, it's about developing knowledge of political systems, promoting shared values, and strengthening local and national allegiances. But it also has the capacity to foster awareness of globalisation, and to encourage active participation. The 10 chapters cover a wide range of topics, including how elected politicians influence what goes on in schools and how pupils experience democracy within schools.' Governing Matters - -

The Editors all work at The Moray House School of Education, University of Edinburgh.