The Duties of American Citizenship (Speech, Buffalo, NY, January 26, 1883)
Theodore Roosevelt
Roosevelt's call for active citizenship came at a time when America was grappling with the rise of powerful trusts and industrial giants. The prevailing anxiety was that unchecked corporate power threatened the democratic balance. Roosevelt's citizen isn't just a spectator; he’s a participant, responsible for ensuring that these mighty engines of commerce operate fairly and transparently. It is not enough to be industrious; one must also guard the public good.