Both Joseph Tussman and John Mueller have very similar views on human nature. However, both have very contrasting views on how human nature affects citizenship. While Tussman advocates reshaping human nature to produce the ideal citizen, Mueller seeks to work with flaws. I believe that human nature cannot be effectively reshaped to produce the ideal citizen. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayJoseph Tussman in his work, The Office of the Ctizen, addresses human nature and its influence on the understanding and formation of the democratic citizen. Tussman argues that through two main elements of society – the market and the assembly – we can observe human nature and draw from it what the ideal citizen should be. Instead of displaying the natural greed and selfishness that manifests itself through competition, Tussman believes that people should have the qualities of rationality and cooperation displayed in deliberation (Tussman, 66-67). Thus Tussman's ideal citizen requires the reshaping of human nature. Tussman's ideal citizen is capable of changing his nature and adopting the characteristics expressed in the assembly: rationality, cooperation and participation. These citizens, through public education, can be trained and disciplined into ideal citizens. Education will enable all people to fulfill their obligations to society. These obligations include active voting, putting aside personal interests to keep the common good as a priority, making responsible decisions about government, and reaching mutual agreement through deliberation (Tussman, 69). Tussman argues that reshaping human nature is necessary for citizens to be able to become active, educated citizens who will put aside their own interests and work to achieve the common good. John Mueller in, Democracy and Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery: Elections, Equality, and the Minimal Human Being, discusses his view of human nature and how it shapes the role of the citizen in democracy. Mueller believes that humans are naturally selfish and are often not good, but he does not think that human nature needs to be shaped. He believes that human beings are perfectly capable of being good citizens without reshaping their natural ways and making them more participatory (Mueller, 990). Mueller believes that democracy works well with the average citizen. Mueller argues that human nature does not negatively impact citizenship; it works well and of course with it. Mueller's ideal citizen does not require turning people into intellectuals through education. He believes that people do not need to be educated because through their rational and logical thinking they will do something (Mueller, 986). Being selfish is how this change will happen. Mueller believes that to get something done, along with self-interest, petitioning is the most effective way to elicit a government response and create change. Voting becomes useless and meaningless in the wake of self-interest. Petitioning is the citizens' only obligation and will occur when people feel the need to do so because it is in their own interest (Mueller, 991). Mueller believes that being active only when it matters to oneself is all that is needed for a successful democracy. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay In my opinion, human beings are.