A realistic and challenging teaching of civics is needed in an age of increased concern of man for his fellow men. Textbooks are inadequate because of their emphasis on conclusions and judgments. Controversial issues must be submitted to critical research and critical thinking in the classroom. To promote understanding the uniqueness of American democracy, the author suggests: do not indoctrinate; give politics a distinguished place in citizenship education; include a study of J. H. St. John de Crivecoller, Martineau, de Tocqueville, and Bryce. Discussion of ideas and values are a legitimate study. Much new thinking and planning are needed to make the obligatory teaching of the constitution worthwhile and effective. It is usually taught as a document without origin, background, or setting; the emphasis is on content, not the evolving constitutional process; it is taught divorced from politics and the political process. (VLW)