Affermir la démocratie en République tchèque et en Allemagne : pratiques et défis de l’éducation civique

The chapter offers a comparative perspective on civic education in the Czech Republic and Germany. It focuses on its historical development, current institutional and curricular frameworks, the strengths and weaknesses of both systems, and the experiences of key actors, namely teachers and students. Particular attention is paid to how experiences with undemocratic regimes and subsequent democratic transformation have shaped the current form of civic education. The chapter draws on an analysis of academic literature, curricular documents, international comparative data, and an original dataset of 60 qualitative interviews with students in the Czech Republic, East Germany, and West Germany. It highlights, among other issues, different understandings of political neutrality, approaches to sensitive and controversial issues, and the position of civic education in both countries. The conclusion formulates recommendations for civic education in the 21st century, particularly in relation to fostering critical thinking, political participation, and reducing educational inequalities.