The Citizen Reader

Lesson 2: The Story of the Law: Why We Need Rules

Without law, the strong rob the weak; the rule of law as the guardian of freedom, property, and life; the ancient custom...

Lesson 3: The High Court of Parliament: House of Commons and Lords

The Palace of Westminster; the history of representation; how laws are debated, amended, and passed by the elected repre...

Lesson 4: The Throne: Constitutional Monarchy and the Executive

The Sovereign, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet; the crown as the symbol of unity and continuity above political fact...

Lesson 5: Courts of Justice and Trial by Jury

The judge in his robes; the twelve citizens of the jury sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence; the pres...

Lesson 6: The Police and the Preservation of Order

The citizen in uniform; how the police maintain public peace not by military force, but by the consent and co-operation ...

Lesson 7: Rates, Taxes, and the Public Purse

Where public money comes from and where it goes: roads, harbors, lighting, schools, and defense; the honesty required in...

Lesson 8: The Army, Navy, and National Defense

The defense of the realm; the soldiers and sailors who guard sea lanes and shores; the heavy responsibility of peace.

Lesson 9: Local Government: Town Councils and Parishes

How local communities govern their own streets, sanitation, parks, and water supply; the duty of taking an active intere...

Lesson 10: Education and the Public Health

The history of public schools, libraries, hospitals, and hygiene; the great advances that conquered plagues and opened b...

Lesson 11: The Empire and the Family of Nations

The great dominions and colonies; international treaties; the responsibility of fair dealing and justice toward all race...

Lesson 12: The Duty of the Citizen: Patriotism and Integrity

The true patriot: not one who boasts loudly, but one who lives an upright, honest, and useful life for his country's tru...