Democracy's challenge to education – Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster's civic education before the First World War

Authors

• Kristiina Ekqvist Ekqvist Turun yliopisto

Abstract

Pedagogical thinker Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster (1869–1966) is seen as one of the pioneers of civic education preparing for democratic society in Germany. In this article I study Foerster's civic education and it's relation to democracy before the First World War. Foerster's civic education was a part of his ethical pedagogy. He was concerned about the division of society, especially hostilities between the classes, and used ethical pedagogy as means towards peace in society. Foerster saw the society advance towards democracy, but had doubts that political freedom would escalate conflicts. Foerster's civic education pursued a citizen who was able to function in the new free society. He was liberal and called for civil rights as well as criticised Germany's strict central government. Foerster objected nationalism and traditional state-centric education. Civic education should unite people over all borders, including national.