The Importance of Education for Democracy

A democratic government, whose power belongs to the people, serves all its citizens equally and protects their natural rights. Its highest priority is to treat and serve its citizens properly and fulfill their interests. In democratic regimes, conflicts and other social issues can be resolved through dialogue, compromise, and consensus between the government and people of a given country to have a better future. In a democratic society, civic education plays an important role in shaping people's values and behaviors, and it cannot be achieved without a stable and developed economy. However, the interest of the human society in education dates back to the dawn of civilization in ancient Greece, when Plato spoke about the importance of education in the development of the state. And, based on his initiative, he wrote at the entrance of the Academy, "Do not go inside unless you are a geometer." Plato's concept of geometry is used to understand a man with a high cultural and scientific level. Thus, the European Enlightenment based on Platonic concepts of education gave it the role and place it deserves among all the professions that develop and civilize people. In ancient Greece, education was not valued as a luxury for a small number of people in the society, but as a right of all citizens. However, in order to achieve the practical goals of education, human society needs to regard it as the most important tool for its development. Therefore, this paper discusses the significance of education in the development of society by enriching it with modern philosophical concepts. The following issues will be addressed: The philosophical essence of education, Education for democracy as a social requirement, The importance of intercultural and multicultural education. [For the full proceedings, see ED654100.]