Rescuing Reason : How History Education Can Help Save Democracy

Rescuing Reason tackles the pressing crisis of civic engagement and public deliberation, drawing on Canadian and international examples, with a particular emphasis on Canada’s democratic landscape. The book argues that K-12 public education has become too narrowly focused on utilitarian aims – such as financial literacy and job preparation – at the expense of the humanities, especially history. Educators Alan Sears and Carla L. Peck contend that this shift has undermined the cultivation of well-rounded citizens equipped for meaningful participation in civic life.

This book proposes that a renewed emphasis on history education, taught with depth and rigour, can foster civic reason, empathy, and a shared sense of civic truth. Through detailed frameworks and practical approaches, the book outlines how history can be taught to develop students’ abilities in civic reasoning and engagement, ultimately strengthening democracy.

Rescuing Reason makes a compelling case for the vital role of history education in nurturing civic competencies. The book offers a clear, actionable plan for educators, policymakers, and the public to reorient education towards preparing students not just for the workforce, but for active, thoughtful citizenship in a complex democratic society.

Alan Sears is a professor emeritus in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick.

Carla L. Peck is a professor in the Faculty of Education and an adjunct professor in the Department of History, Classics, and Religion at the University of Alberta.