Democracy vs. Obedience
How do these concepts manifest in schools and how do we balance them within the classroom?
What makes a successful democracy?
A good democracy ensures that there is a stable institutional structure that realizes the liberty and equality of its citizens. In a good democracy, the citizens themselves have the power to check and evaluate whether the government pursues the objectives of liberty and equality according to the rule of law. They monitor the political decisions made by the government and hold elected officials responsible and accountable in relation to the demands expressed by civil society.
In an ideal democratic society, citizens are taught critical thinking skills, creativity, and civic engagement. In theory, democracy encourages citizens to have open discussions with their peers and also engage in discourse that questions the institutions of current society. Democratic societies also give citizens the power to decide what matters most to them and have a say in the decisions made by leaders. However, for this to be possible, citizens need to engage in their civic duty and have the ability to think critically and creatively.
What is the role of schools in a democracy?
As previously mentioned, in a democratic society, citizens should be taught critical thinking skills, creativity, and civic engagement. However, Joel Westheimer, in No Child Left Thinking (2015) argues that schools in the U.S. prioritize standardized testing performance over critical thinking. Westheimer highlights how focusing on performance outcomes diminishes students’ ability to engage with social and ethical issues. Similarly, in What Does It Mean to Educate the Whole Child? (2005) Nel Noddings critiques standardized approaches that neglect individual interests. She promotes a holistic approach that includes the arts, physical education, and the creation of meaningful relationships between teachers and students. Additionally, John Taylor Gatto has similar critiques in Against School (2009) where he argues that the school system stifles creativity and independent thought. He claims that school system is designed to produce obedient workers and consumers in a capitalist society. He encourages an alternative approach, one that incorporates self-directed learning, apprenticeships, and community-based experiences. Finally, Kathryn Bickmore in Listening to Children in Dialogue (2017) emphasizes the importance of implementing democratic dialogue in the classroom by listening to student perspectives. Bickmore advocates for more open dialogue that helps students develop critical thinking and empathetic qualities that encourage active participation in a democratic society.
Obedience and Education
Obedience plays a significant role in education, as schools operate within structured systems that rely on rules, routines, and expectations to maintain order and facilitate learning. From an early age, students are expected to follow instructions, adhere to schedules, and respect the authority of teachers and other staff within the school environment. These expectations can help establish consistency for students but, as we will discuss later, can also give rise to anti-democratic tendencies.
Beyond maintaining structure, obedience in educational settings is deeply intertwined with power dynamics and socialization. Schools do not merely teach academic content; they also shape students’ understanding of authority, hierarchy, and their place within institutional systems. Through obedience, students learn to navigate systems of reward and punishment, internalizing norms that extend beyond the classroom and into broader society. While this process can foster responsibility and self-discipline, it can also reinforce compliance at the expense of independent thought if not carefully managed.
Furthermore, the emphasis on obedience varies across different educational models and cultural contexts. Traditional, teacher-centered approaches often prioritize discipline and conformity, whereas more progressive pedagogies encourage student agency and critical questioning. These differing philosophies influence how students perceive their own roles in the learning process—whether as passive recipients of knowledge or active participants in shaping their education. By critically examining the role of obedience in schools, we can better understand its impact on student development and engagement.