Call for a Revival of Civic Service Amid Declining American Participation

The author contends that America’s democratic health is eroding as citizens retreat from active participation, pointing to a 65.3% voter turnout in the 2024 election, a 28.3% volunteer rate in 2023, and only 11% of 16- to 21-year-olds expressing intent to join the military. Citing James Madison’s 1788 admonition that government cannot protect liberty without virtuous people, the column stresses that civic duty must be practiced, not merely proclaimed.

It defines service broadly—from firefighting and mentorship to jury duty and disaster relief—and highlights how such work builds discipline and cross-community understanding. The proposed remedy includes state-funded public-service fellowships with modest stipends, school curricula that embed meaningful service projects, credit for applicants with sustained volunteer histories, and employer policies that support jury duty and National Guard commitments. The piece also calls for schools to welcome recruiters and expand JROTC, arguing that visible respect for service will shift cultural values toward collective responsibility.