Learning to listen to ourselves and others;

Critical and reflective thinking abilities (e.g. being able to think about various points of view and goals; being able to understand, analyze and check the reliability of information about government; being able to analyze instances of social injustice and decide when some action or nonviolent protest is justified; being able to analyze how conditions in the community are connected to policy decisions);

Flexible problem solving/decision making abilities (e.g. the ability to resolve conflicts in creative and nonviolent ways; being able to build consensus; being able to reach an informed decision about a candidate or conclusion about an issue;

Communicative abilities (e.g. being able to participate in discussion; learning to argue thoughtfully and directly for one’s position and use evidence in support of it; being able to articulate the meaning of abstract concepts such as democracy and patriotism; being able to articulate the relationship between the common good and self-interest and use these ideas in making decisions; being able to express one’s opinion on a political or civic matter when contacting an elected official or a media outlet);

Collaborative capacities (e.g. working together for a common goal; learning to compromise; being able to participate in a respectful and informed discussion about an issue; being able to act in a group in a way that includes others and communicates respect for their views; being able to envision a plan for action on community problems and mobilize others to pursue it.).

Responsibility (e.g. sense of personal responsibility at many levels including obeying the law and voting; respect for human rights and willingness to search out and listen to others’ views; personal commitment to others and their well-being, and to justice);

An appreciation that we are social creatures and need others to survive and thrive and an overlapping sense of social trust in the community;

Appreciation of and involvement with social justice (e.g. a nation is as strong as its weakest members; when certain groups are discriminated against it is not only unfair to them but, in the long run undermines society; support for justice, equality and other democratic values and procedures);

Service to others or an appreciation that it is an honor and a pleasure to serve and help others.

Appreciation that—most of the time—others do the best they can (e.g. sense of realistic efficacy about citizen’ actions).