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Why did John Dewey see education as important to democracy?

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Young students in white uniforms sit at tables in a classroom, creating art projects with paper and glue, while a teacher stands nearby in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. — education Students and an instructor in a classroom in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

John Dewey viewed education as essential to democracy because he believed a democratic society requires citizens who possess specific habits of mind: critical inquiry, an inclination toward cooperation, and a commitment to the common good.1

For Dewey, democracy is more than a government structure; it is a "mode of associated life" where individuals solve common problems through rational means and mutual respect. Because these democratic dispositions are not innate, they must be cultivated from a young age. Consequently, he famously referred to public schools as the "church of democracy," viewing them as the primary institutions for fostering the informed, engaged inquirers necessary for a healthy society.123

By emphasizing dialogue and critical thinking, Dewey argued that education empowers citizens to participate responsibly in public affairs, ensuring that society remains subject to constant improvement rather than static tradition. His philosophy of education was thus designed to meet the needs of a changing democratic society, prioritizing the development of individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the collective well-being.12