The objectives of adult civic education were examined, and recommendations for its effective practice were offered to educators. The following purposes of adult civic education were discussed: inform learners of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; explain how citizens participate in building a society by making informed decisions; and foster development of action designed to seek solutions to situations. The need for adult civic education programs to encompass the following interrelated domains of learning was emphasized: cognitive (information); affective (values); and action. The principles and problems of the liberal and radical approaches to adult civic education were reviewed along with a "third way" or philosophical orientation that supports the development of reflexive citizenship involving self-critical and dynamic learning and active citizenship and supports individuals as they learn to deal with diversity in politics and social practices. The following recommendations were offered to practitioners: (1) determine the underlying philosophical approach to adult education; (2) use an approach that focuses on learning as construction rather than as instruction; (3) use methods that encourage critical thinking, discussion, listening, and reflection; (4) create a context within the learning environment that models the kind of society that learners are working to achieve; and (5) connect with issues in which learners have a personal interest. (Contains 16 references.) (MN)