Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens
Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens | Richard Haass
4 posts | 2 read | 3 to read
A provocative guide to how we must reenvision citizenship if American democracy is to survive The United States faces dangerous threats from Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, terrorists, climate change, and future pandemics. The greatest peril to the country, however, comes not from abroad but from within, from none other than ourselves. The question facing us is whether we are prepared to do what is necessary to save our democracy. The Bill of Obligations is a bold call for change. In these pages, New York Times bestselling author Richard Haass argues that the very idea of citizenship must be revised and expanded. The Bill of Rights is at the center of our Constitution, yet our most intractable conflicts often emerge from contrasting views as to what our rights ought to be. As former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer pointed out, "Many of our cases, the most difficult ones, are not about right versus wrong. They are about right versus right." The lesson is clear: rights alone cannot provide the basis for a functioning, much less flourishing, democracy. But there is a cure: to place obligations on the same footing as rights. The ten obligations that Haass introduces here are essential for healing our divisions and safeguarding the country's future. These obligations reenvision what it means to be an American citizen. They are not a burden but rather commitments that we make to fellow citizens and to the government to uphold democracy and counter the growing apathy, anger, selfishness, division, disinformation, and violence that threaten us all. Through an expert blend of civics, history, and political analysis, this book illuminates how Americans can rediscover and recover the attitudes and behaviors that have contributed so much to this country's success over the centuries. As Richard Haass argues, "We get the government and the country we deserve. Getting the one we need, however, is up to us." The Bill of Obligations gives citizens across the political spectrum a plan of action to achieve it.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
ImperfectCJ
post image
Pickpick

A quick and impactful read, this book by Richard Haass is like a distillation of David Brooks's writings about character. It was written before the 2024 election but predicts many of the threats to democracy that resulted. The suggestions are moderate and bipartisan, although in the current environment would likely be considered radical.

TL;DR: Protecting democracy is necessary, nonpartisan, and requires our active participation.

blurb
ImperfectCJ
post image

Back when I was a recent college graduate, I wrote a letter to John Glenn, one of my senators at the time, proposing an expansion of benefits associated with voluntary civil service (essentially making AmeriCorps service and military service equivalent). I never got a reply. Here in Obligation VIII, Haass proposes almost exactly what I did at age 21. I feel vindicated and also a tiny bit wise beyond my years (retroactively).

DogMomIrene People are so change-resistant. That‘s one thing I‘m working on as I age – not getting stuck in one way of thinking. But imagine if more young people‘s ideas were seriously considered. This book sounds really good. 2w
ImperfectCJ @DogMomIrene I find that people are either resistant to change or waaay too enthusiastic about throwing out both baby and bathwater. I really enjoyed this book as I'm definitely a fan of keeping the foundation strong and building something better and better on top of it. (To mix metaphors...) 2w
33 likes2 comments
blurb
ImperfectCJ
post image

Please don't let one of the obligations be strict sobriety. 🤞

@MaleficentBookDragon I was inspired by your bourbon posts to make myself a Friday night Harlequin Racerunner (except with rye instead of bourbon because I wanted something less sweet).

blurb
ImperfectCJ
post image

Well, this dedication hits hard.

Bookwormjillk I have this on my list to read soon. Looking forward to your review. 1mo
Kerrbearlib Stacked! 1mo
Susanita He was a speaker at an event at my old office, and I talked to him briefly. Smart guy. 1mo
42 likes1 stack add3 comments