This expression refers to an interpretation of the republican tradition of political thought that is often contrasted with the civic humanist interpretation of the same tradition. Civic republicans argue that in order to sustain a political regime that secures the central rights and liberties of citizens, it is necessary for citizens to participate actively in politics and to cultivate certain civic virtues. The kind of virtues they have in mind include the dispositions to be informed about public affairs, to be vigilant about the behavior of public oficials, and to support the rule of law. They warn that society’s effective pursuit of the common good is undermined when citizens are corrupted by luxury, ambition, excessive self-interest, and factionalism. Civic republicans defend the value of political participation and of civic virtues by appealing to their fundamental contribution to the establishment and maintenance of a free society. In other words, they defend them primarily in instrumental terms, rather than presenting them as essential components of a comprehensive view of the human good. Among the historical igures who offered this kind of argument for civic engagement are Cicero and Machiavelli.

There are many signiicant afinities between civic republicanism and justice as fairness. Rawls agrees with civic republicans that in order to sustain a just democratic regime over time, it is necessary that citizens be politically active.