• “If Men were angels, no government would
be necessary”
Agree
Disagree
• Civics – the study of the rights,
responsibilities and duties of citizens.
• Government – an institution through which
a society makes and enforces its public
policies. Ruling authority of a community
that makes and enforces rules
• Does all of these and more.
• If it didn’t exist, we would have to invent it.
Citizen
• Today most people are citizens of the
country where they live
• Citizens have rights and responsibilities.
• Citizen - a member of a community with
certain rights and responsibilities
• What responsibilities do you think citizens
should have?
Government
• Government is the ruing authority for a
community
• It has the power to make and enforce laws
for its members.
• Citizens agree to accept the government
authority and follow its rules.
Citizenship
7
U.S. Citizenship
9
Aliens (Immigrants) in the U.S.
•All of today’s more than 310
million Americans are
descended from immigrants.
•On the back of every
American coin, you’ll find the
Latin words:
• E pluribus unum: “Out of
many, one.”
"Oh God, I was sick. Everybody was sick. I don't
even want to remember anything about that old boat.
One night I prayed to God that it would go down
because the waves were washing over it. I was that
sick, I didn't care if it went down or not. And
everybody else was the same way."
-Bertha Devlin, an Irish immigrant in 1923
Citizenship
-What is a citizen?
The 14th Amendment defines a
citizen as anyone born or
naturalized in the U.S.
-two ways to become a citizen
-born a citizen
-through naturalization
11
Citizen By Birth
-Citizenship by Birth
You are automatically a
citizen if are:
-born anywhere in any part of
the United States
-It’s possible to be a dual
citizen at birth
if you are born in another
country but one or both
parents are U.S. citizens
including the District of
Columbia, American territory
or U.S. military base overseas
-If your parents are citizens
no matter where you were
born
12
Naturalization
-naturalization
-5 requirements
-file an intent form
with the Immigration and
Naturalization Services
Department of Homeland Security
-live in U.S. for 5 years
(or 3 years for aliens
married to US citizens)
-be 18 years old
-take naturalization test
-take citizenship oath
13
Legal Aliens
-Legal alien
Non-citizens who are here
legally
(An immigrant is a person who
moves permanently to a new
country
- They can’t vote, hold public
office or work in gov’t jobs
-They have same legal rights as
citizens
MOST HOLD JOBS & PAY
TAXES
- Legal aliens must have
written permission to be in
the U.S.
- Must carry Visa / Green Card
with them at all times
14
Illegal Aliens
-Illegal Aliens
- Why would someone come
here if they would be an illegal
alien???
U.S. limits the the number of
immigrants who can enter the
usually to find a better life and
country
escape poor living conditions in
-can not do anything legally in native country
the U.S.
vote, hold office, work
- There are laws that forbid
hiring illegal aliens
- Illegal Aliens can be deported
(sent back to home country) if
found
15
• We get our concepts of government from
Ancient Roman times.
– Democracy
– Republic
How Rules/Government evolved
• The Force Theory
• Evolution Theory
• Divine Right Theory
• Social Contract Theory
The Force Theory
Rule was born by force
Primal man
decided to force his
will and rule on others
Evolutionary Theory
• The Rule gradually
developed from
primal families
Divine Right Theory
• The belief that the rule
of king was GodGiven and naturally
perpetuated by the
nobility
Social Contract Theory
• Agreement among
individuals to unite
and form a society in
which members are
governed by a set of
rules.
Theories
• Thomas Hobbes
• Said people are violent
and disorderly and selfish
• The government
maintains order without
every man for himself
• People give up their rights
in order to be safe.They
have no right to rebel.
• The need a social
contract- government
where people act on their
own self interest to keep
them in control
• John Locke
• Said people are moral and
reasonable
• Government protects our
natural rights of life,
liberty, and property
• People have natural rights
and may overthrow the
government that does not
protect their rights.
• Government with consent
of the people is the
foundation of democracy.
Locke and Hobbes
Purpose of Government
• Keep order
– Set up armed forces to defend citizens and their
land from enemies
• Make laws to help prevent conflicts among
people and to settle conflicts that do arise.
• In other words – the purpose of government is to
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Bring order to chaos
Lead people
Protect rights
Interpret laws
Keep people safe
Guide the community
Give to the needy
The Common Good
• The ultimate role of the government is to
do the greatest good to the greatest
number of people without harming others
• A successful government need people to
participate.
26
Again: What are the functions of
governments?
• Keep order – laws, courts
• Provide security – police, military
• Provide services – libraries, schools, etc.
• Guide the community – manage economy,
foreign relations, etc.
Government provides services
that would not be available
Without corporation and coordination
Provide Public Service
• Provide essential services
to enhance community
life.
• Promote the General
Welfare
– Sewer system – couldn’t do
that on your on
– Highways
– Firefighters
– Food inspectors
Provide for National Security
• Protect the people against
attacks by other states and
threats of terrorism
• Nation Security is
important
– Army, Navy
– Makes economic decisions
– Passes laws to help shape
economy
– Economic stimulus
– Bank and currency
– Make payments to help
farmers
Duties as Citizens
Things We Must Do
Obey the
Laws
 All people must obey laws
 Most important duty
 If we do not obey the law, the gov’t
cannot maintain order or protect our
health, safety & property
Pay Your
Taxes
 Property and income taxes
are examples
 Taxes are the government’s
revenue to provide services
to citizens
 Without taxes, the gov’t
could not pay its employees,
maintain armed forces to
defend the nation, and help
those in need
Defend the Nation
 All men 18-25 years of
age must register for
the selective service
 We haven’t had a draft
since the Vietnam War
b/c we have enough
volunteers to serve in
our military
Serve in Court
 As a witness if subpoenaed
 As a juror if called
Go to School
 Until 17 years of age
 Benefits both you and the gov’t b/c
you need knowledge and skills to
make wise decisions and our
democratic system of gov’t needs
informed citizens to operate well
Responsibilities
Things we should do
Be Informed
 Use the Internet, television,
magazines, newspapers, radio
 Allows citizens to make better
decisions when participating in the
political process
 Allows you to know your rights
Vote in Elections
 Allows you to have a voice in
government
 The most important
responsibility
 Ensures that leadership is
changed in a peaceful
manner
 U.S. has low voter turn out
due to voter apathy
 The attitude of not caring
Participate
 Volunteer in your
community
 Join a political
party
 Call, write or email
your legislator
 Join a group
working for a
particular cause
Respect for Property
 For public property as well as the
property of others
 There are laws against littering,
vandalism, graffiti
Respect for
Others
 Tolerate others’ differences
 Even if you disagree w/ a
person’s lifestyle, religious
beliefs, etc.
 To be a good citizen, you
must treat all people with
respect and politeness
 Respect others’ rights
Contribute to the
Common Good
 Responsible citizens are willing to
contribute time, money, effort, and
money to help other people and to
improve the community
 Donate to charities
 Volunteer
Levels
• National
– Highest level in the US
– Centered at the capital in DC
– Makes laws for entire country
Levels
• State
– Make laws for people of their state
• Local
– Include counties, cities, towns – make laws for
people in their city, county, town
• County
• City
Constitution
• US wrote the
Constitution – a plan
that provides rules for
government
Purpose of Constitution
• Set out ideals that the people bound by the
Constitution believe and share.
• Establish the basic structure of government
and defines government powers and duties
• Provides Supreme Law for country.
• Provides rules that shape actions of
government and politics
Constitutions
• May be written or
unwritten
• ALL HAVE A PLAN
FOR
ORGANIZATION
Preamble
• Introduction to the
Constitution
• Sets forth goals and
purpose
The Preamble
Constitution
• Has a main body that sets forth the
relationship between Nation and State
governments
• Has articles and sections
• Supreme Law – highest law
• Constitutional Law – interpretation and
application of constitution
Forms of Government
• Monarchy
– Absolute
– Constitutional
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fascism/Dictator
Democracy
Theocracy
Communism
Socialism
Anarchy
• Monarchy
– In a Monarchy, kings, queens and emperors
have supreme powers of government.
– Inherited positions
– Absolute Monarchs have complete control and
inherited power.
– Constitutional Monarchy is where rulers share
governmental powers with elected officials.
Absolute Monarch and
Constitutional Monarch
Description
• Any system of
government in which
the power and
authority to rule are in
the hands of a single
individual this type of
government.
Absolute Monarchy and
Constitutional Monarchy
Description
• Absolute Monarchy - Monarch (king or
queen, emperor, czar)
• Constitutional Monarchy - Monarch has no
real power, is just a figure head
68
Absolute Monarch and Constitutional
Monarchy Law and Order
• Absolute Monarch - Ruler makes all laws
• Constitutional Monarch - Elected
Parliament makes laws
– Constitution
– Has Prime Minister, Premier or Chancellor
who leads government
69
Absolute Monarch and Constitutional
Monarch Liberty and Personal Freedom
• Absolute Monarchy - Citizens receive as
much freedom as monarch chooses to give
• Constitutional Monarchy - Great value
placed on equality, opportunities and
personal freedoms
– Hard work = reward/success
70
Absolute Monarchy and Constitutional
Monarchy Pros and Cons
• Absolute Monarchy
–
–
–
–
Pros : Provides stability
Pros : No elections
Pros : Fast and Final decisions
Cons: Citizens can’t complain
• Constitutional Monarchy
– Pros : Personal freedom, liberty and opportunity
– Cons: Economic inequality
– Slow to get things started
71
Examples of Constitutional
Monarchy
• England
72
Fascism/Dictatorship
Description
• Dictatorship
– The ideas of a single leader are glorified
– Government seeks to control all aspects of life
• Hitler
• Mussolini
• Stalin
• No other political party allowed
• All power to one man who is usually a
military leader
Fascism/Dictatorship
Law and Order
• Party fills all government positions
• Enforces one set of laws for loyal followers
and other set for everyone else
74
Fascism/Dictatorship
Liberty and Personal Freedom
•
•
•
•
Personal freedom SERIOUSLY limited
Controls press, schools and police
Forbids strikes
Decides workers salaries
75
Fascism/Dictatorship
Pros and Cons
• Pros : Extremely strong national pride and
unity
• Cons: Loss of personal freedoms and
opportunities
• No opposing views tolerated
• All activities controlled by government
76
Fascism/Dictatorship
Countries
• North Korea
• Former Iraq
77
Hitler
Mussolini
Stalin
Absolute Monarch – Philip II
Absolute Monarch Louis XVI
Absolute monarch – Catherine
the Great
Democracy
• A democracy is any system of government
in which rule is by the people.
• The key idea of democracy is that the
people hold sovereign power.
– “Government of the people, by the people, for
the people”
Democracy
Democracy
Description
• Representative democracy in which the
people’s elected representatives, not the
people themselves, vote on legislation
• Power rest with the people
• Free elections
86
Democracy
• Representative Democracy has the people
elect representatives and gives them the
responsibility and power to make laws and
conduct government.
Democracy
• Direct democracy
– People govern themselves by voting on issues
individually as citizens.
– It can only exist in very small societies where
citizens can actually meet regularly to discuss
and decide key issues and problems
Direct Democracy
Characteristics of Democracy
•
•
•
•
Individual Liberty
Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Free Election
Competing Political Parties
Democracy
Law and Order
• Representatives have power only as long as
elected by citizens
• Laws made by legislature elected by otesrs
• Citizens pay taxes and government decides
how to spend tax money
• Government provides security education,
police, judges with tax money
91
Democracy
Liberty and Personal Freedoms
• Great value placed on equality,
opportunities and personal freedoms
• Hard work = reward/success
• Think of core Democratic values
• All citizens live by same laws and can vote
92
Democracy
Pros and Cons
• Pros : Provides most personal freedom,
liberty, and opportunities
• Cons: Economic inequality competition
• Slow to get things done
93
Theocracy Republic
Description
• Literally means “rule of God” in Greek
• Supreme Being is seen as true ruler
• Religious leaders interpret Supreme Being’s
laws
• Typical of early civilizations
94
Theocracy
Law and Order
• Laws based on religious ideals/laws
• Government leaders are members of the
clergy
• Religious law dominant over civil law and
influences every aspects
95
Theocracy
Liberty and Personal Freedom
• Freedoms are restricted by the
interpretation of religious text
• limited personal freedoms
• Citizens must follow state religions
• Usually very very very limited personl
freedoms for females
96
Theocracy
Pro’s and Con’s
• Pros : Very clear how you should live life
• Everyone believes the same religiouscultural religious culture
• Cons: Severely limited personal freedoms especially for women
97
Theocracy
Examples
• Iran
• Saudi Arabia
• Vatican City
98
Communism
Description
• 1 political party
• Results mainly from revolution
• All means of production are owned and
controlled by all citizens = one party
99
Communism
Law and Order
• Laws made by party appointed legislature
• Party picks and pays judges
• Government provides all housing and
education and so on
100
Communism
Liberty and Personal Freedoms
• Party members get favoritism
• No opposition allowed
• Citizens expected to give all talent, time,
and money to government
• Most of personal life under control of party
101
Communist
Pro’s and Con’s
• Pro’s : Redistribution of wealth
– Rich not wealty anymore unless they are
importnat Party members
• Con’s: Hard work = no real reward/success
102
Communist
Examples
• China
• Vietnam
• Cuba
103
Anarchy
• Description: No on in particular has power
• Law and Order: Everyone for himself
• Liberty and Personal Freedoms: Anything
you can get away with
• Pros: unlimited freedoms
• Cons: Chaos
• Examples:
– Darfur and Sudan
– Dem Repub of Congo
104
Define:
• Republic
– Democracy with a representative in which no leaders
inherit office
• Democracy
– Based on majority rule
• Direct – citizens meet and debate government and vote
• Representative – citizens choose a small group to represent
them
– Make laws and govern on their behalf
• Monarchy
– Absolute – Monarch with total power
– Limited or constitutional – Power of hereditary
ruler is limited by counties and constitutional
law.
• Socialist
– Government controls means of production and
provides social services
• Dictatorship
– Leaders exercise complete control but usually take
force by power
• Totalitarian
– Government controls all aspects of life
• Oligarchy – Power reset in small segments of
society (powerful, wealthy, …_
• Theocracy
– Government where religion and faith play a dominant
role
List of countries with Federal Governments (24)
Argentina
Mexico
Australia
Micronesia
Austria
Nigeria
Belgium
Pakistan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Russia
Brazil
St. Kitts and Nevis
Canada
South Africa
Comoros
Spain
Ethiopia
Switzerland
Germany
United Arab Emirates
India
United States of
Malaysia
America
Venezuela
Countries in
Transition to
Federalism
Iraq
Sudan
Countries
Considering a
Federal System
Sri Lanka
List of Unitary States
Afghanistan
Albania
Abkhazia
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African
Republic
Chad
Chile
People's Republic
of China
Colombia
Congo (Brazzaville)
Congo (Kinshasa)
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
List of Unitary States
Eritrea
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
List of Unitary States
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
North Korea
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Rwanda
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
List of Unitary States
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Syria
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Zambia
Trinidad and Tobago Zimbabwe
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Vietnam
Yemen
civ·ics
the study or science of
the privileges and
obligations of citizens.