The Democratic Potential Of Dance: Proposing Public Dance As A Cultivator Of Civic Virtues

Abstract

Drawing upon citizenship theory, this paper proposes that certain conditions enhance dance's capacity to foster a democratically virtuous citizenry. This paper argues under certain conditions dance can be an implement of citizen development and used to combat civic indifference, a prominent obstacle to a virtuous citizenry. Historical examples of politicized dance and phenomenological evidence provide support for the claim that dance can serve formative political ends. Finally, this paper assesses elements of dance that impact the realization of its democratizing potential.