How did John Dewey define democracy as a form of associated living?

For John Dewey, democracy is significantly more than a mere system of government; he famously defined it in Democracy and Education (1916) as a "mode of associated life".1

In this context, democracy functions as a consciously collaborative process of social planning and collective action across all spheres of common life. It is characterized by the following principles:2

• Cooperative Problem-Solving: Citizens work together to address common challenges using rational means, specifically through critical inquiry and experimental methods.1
• Mutual Respect: This form of living is grounded in a spirit of goodwill and mutual respect, where individuals engage in dialogue to identify shared interests.21
• Social Intelligence: Dewey viewed democracy as a form of "social intelligence," where the community functions as a group of informed and engaged inquirers.23
• Growth and Flexibility: It provides the freedom necessary for individual self-development and growth, while remaining non-absolutist; democratic norms and institutions are viewed as fallible and subject to constant improvement based on changing historical circumstances.21

Would you like to explore how Dewey’s views on education support this vision of democracy?