In a September 11 piece on The Washington Post‘s website, Post opinions editor James Downie wrote about the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the theme of civic obligation, citing Democracy journal’s “Reclaiming Citizenship” symposium from the Spring 2012 issue.

Downie discussed the 9/11 attacks in the context of President Obama’s convention speech in Charlotte, N.C. last week. In his address, the President stressed the importance of civic obligation, saying, “[W]e also believe in something called citizenship, a word at the very heart of our founding, at the very essence of our democracy; the idea that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another, and to future generations.” Downie noted that the Democracy symposium sounded the same notes about duty and obligation, adding, “Obama’s words are a start, but he and the rest of our nation’s leaders need to follow through and restore civic duty to its proper prominence.”

To read the symposium, click here.