While there is no magic wand (or formula, for that matter), I'm willing to bet that if we're looking for ways to replicate the inclinations of consistent voters, the expression 'Live with a pirate long enough and you learn how to curse,' provides an invaluable clue.
So here are some offhand suggestions as to what basic situations might provide for the inculcation of a higher sense of civic duty, of service, of obligation related to the end-examples proffered previously, how a value system that honours community engagement might be promoted:
-Households where a strong sense of responsibility outside-of-self is propagated, where neighbourhood cleanups, community projects and volunteering aren't seen as esoteric activities foster the mindset associated with civic duty.
-Education systems where 'civics' isn't dealt with in a lip-service way, but rather support long-term awareness and the potential for participation. Where politicians visit classrooms to reinforce what's being taught, where students finish their education with a full understanding of how each level of government work, and can discuss the practicals with as much aptitude as they might be able to rhyme off their favourite professional sports team's stats or the minutiae of the latest social fad.
-Parents who show by example that 'politics' and 'politicians' don't have to be addressed from a default of negativity or cynicism or dismissiveness, who take their children along to debates and candidates' nights and to actually watch them vote.
-Perhaps most of all, families, neighbourhoods and communities where respect is valued at all levels. Because when the idea of respect is planted and fostered, when an individual is respected and feels respect for themselves, this 'default setting' carries over into all aspects of Life. While it doesn't guarantee 'perfect people', it certainly makes for more situations that resemble what we all in our hearts want our families, our neighbourhoods, our communtities to resemble.
M Adrian Brassington
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