tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413935813892441553.post824808246698981501..comments2024-03-29T00:30:39.262-05:00Comments on real economics: Elevator Speech #6--Education--what folks must knowJonathan Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05217670446743983955noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413935813892441553.post-47409561951176583162011-04-22T10:53:36.272-05:002011-04-22T10:53:36.272-05:00Yeah, I left out some categories my friends find i...Yeah, I left out some categories my friends find important such as the need to learn music. Even so, this post still got longer than my guidelines. <br /><br />Your quote from Madison reminds me that education also has a "why" in addition to "how."<br /><br />In my defense, I would put Madison under my need to learn history. If you know a lot about history, it is probable you will be a good public citizen.<br /><br />Thanks for your comment!Jonathan Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05217670446743983955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4413935813892441553.post-88429928095379042572011-04-22T09:10:29.023-05:002011-04-22T09:10:29.023-05:00The original purpose of public education, as envis...The original purpose of public education, as envisioned by Madison, was to teach people what it means to live in a democracy. That is the one glaring omission from your list. Notions like the protection of minority rights are not ideas that come naturally to most people. They must be taught. Madison's prediction of what happens without this sort of education has, unhappily, turned out to be dead on:<br /><br />"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." -- James MadisonUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509057784023575824noreply@blogger.com