Civic Virtues, Liberal Values, and the Civic Culture

Abstract

The focus of this book is on civic and uncivic values in the politics and society of the Republic of Macedonia, which declared its independence in 1991. But what are civic values anyway? One way to think about this — which, at first glance, creates more confusion than clarity — is to say that civic values are about being a good citizen. Etymologically, we know that the word “civic” derives from the Latin words “civis” (citizen) and “civitas” (citizenship). The problem with trying to establish the meaning of “civic” by an etymological approach is that what qualifies as being a good citizen seems more vague, rather than clearer, than the notion of civic values. What does it mean to be a “good citizen” in an oppressive state? Does it mean to be loyal to the state, no matter how oppressive it is, and to obey all its decrees? That would not correspond to the way most of us would understand what it means to do one’s civic duty. But perhaps being civic means being ready to defy an oppressive state and its laws, and thus to become a dissident? If so, what is the difference then between being a good citizen and being a good human being? The difference may or may not be immediately apparent, but I would say that it lies in the notion of a community. To be a good citizen is to be a positive factor in one’s community, and that is what is generally understood by “civic.”