# Civic Education is Essential for a Functioning Democracy Civic education is essential for a functioning democracy because it equips citizens with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to participate effectively in democratic processes. Democracy depends on citizens making choices that affect collective life. Without a basic understanding of how institutions work, what rights and responsibilities they have, and how policies shape society, people are voting blind. Civic education teaches critical thinking and fact-checking skills, which make people more resistant to manipulation and [[Fake News]]. Lastly, civic education helps maintain shared values like equality, tolerance, and compromise. Having shared values increases [[Social Capital]] in a society, which itself is necessary for a functioning democracy. ![[Greg Lukianoff Cancel Culture, Deplatforming, Censorship & Free Speech#^j7du6n]]