Political
processes and
citizenship
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Student
expectations
• WG15A Identify and give examples of
different points of view that influence the
development of public policies and decisionmaking processes on the local, state,
national and international levels.
• WG15B Explain how citizenship practices,
public policies, and decision-making may be
influenced by cultural beliefs, including
nationalism and patriotism.
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Student
Expectations
• WG18B Assess causes, effects, and perceptions of
conflicts between groups of people, including
terrorism.
• WG21B Locate places of contemporary geopolitical
significance on a map.
• WG23B Use case studies to identify contemporary
challenges and to answer real-world questions.
• WG23C Use problem-solving and decision-making
processes to identify a problem, gather information,
list and consider options, consider advantages and
disadvantages, choose and implement a solution, and
evaluate the effectiveness of the solution.
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Here’s what we are going
to be learning about…
• How are government decisions made?
• How do citizens participate in government?
• How are government policies shaped by
cultural beliefs?
• How are government decisions and
international issues often influenced by
different points of view?
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An essential
question
How are government decisions
and international issues
shaped by different points of
view?
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Geographic
Terminology
• Decision• Cultural Beliefs
Making Process
• Government • Patriotism
Policy
• Point of View • Nationalism
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Important ideas
• Governments often make decisions.
Government officials usually follow a
logical decision-making process to make
them:
Brainstorm some recent happenings in
Identify a problem
the government where you can tell that
Gather information these steps have been followed.
List various options
Consider the advantages and disadvantages
of each option
– Choose and implement a solution
– Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution
–
–
–
–
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Important ideas
• A government policy consists of a series of
decisions and actions on a particular issue or
topic.
• Different points of view frequently influence the
development of public policies and decisions.
This occurs at the local, state, and national levels
of government.
• Cultural beliefs, such as nationalism and
patriotism, influence citizenship practices,
public policies and decision-making processes.
• Different points of view also affect policies and
decision-making at the international level,
between nations.
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Let’s try the
decision-making
process
Our topic
will be
Terrorism
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Step 1: identify the
Problem
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Step 2: Gather
Information
What are some ways that the government could go about
gathering information?
A government
could
also
The
government
could
The
government
use
satellite
surveillance,
make
a list of
known
undercover
agents,
terrorist
leaders
and
could
look
at
exchanges
of information
organizations.
They
terrorist
acts
with foreign
governments
could
also analyze
their
and other methods
to
committed
in the
acquaintances
and
any
obtain
information
about
USrecent
and elsewhere.
activities.
the terrorists.
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Step 3: Consider
Options
Next, government officials will consider various ways to solve the problems. They must
consider all of their options.
Draw this spectrum on your paper or find it in the notes
packet. Fill in the spectrum with policy options that
government officials might consider when dealing with
terrorists.
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How do your answers compare to
these? What was difficult about
developing your spectrum?
Do
Nothing
Politely
ask other
countries
to expel
terrorists
Economic
sanctions:
refuse to
trade with
countries
housing or
supporting
terrorists
Eavesdrop on
conversations of
suspected
terrorists;
freeze
their bank
accounts
in the U.S.
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Supply
military
assistanc
e to
foreign
governments
actively
fighting
terrorists
Launch
attacks
against
countries
where
terrorists
are
operating
Government officials now consider the advantages and disadvantages of each
option. Every option usually has both benefits and costs.
Advantage
ISSUE
Eavesdropping on telephone
conversations and email
correspondence
May yield valuable
information about the
next threat
Disadvantage
Could infringe on
personal liberties of
American citizens
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Now choose one of the
other options on the
spectrum and discuss the
advantages and
disadvantages.
Step 5 – Select,
implement, and evaluate
the best option
Finally, officials
select one policy
option or a
combination of
options.
Officials then apply
this approach to the
problem and
evaluate its
effectiveness.
They assess whether
this solution works
and whether it
creates new
problems of its own.
Which option(s) did the United States use to deal with terrorism? Was it effective?
Why or why not?
Which approach do YOU think is best for dealing with global terrorism, and why?
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The importance of
different points
of view
Why is it important to
see all view points and
consult with other
people when making a
decision?
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•What benefit is there to having such a large cabinet to help make decisions?
•Are there any disadvantages?
•Why do leaders need to examine different points of view and seek advice?
What is taking place in this
picture? Who are all of the
people around the table?
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Back to our terrorism example…who could the president ask for points
of view when deciding how to deal with global terrorism?
Close allies or other countries
Task Force K-Bar SEALs
searching munitions found in
the Zhawar Kili cave complex
United Nations
What else?
Leon Panetta,
Secretary of Defense
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Culture
What
affects
someone’s
viewpoint?
Political beliefs
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For example: Farmers or farm equipment makers
How can people help politicians
get elected?
What other groups can you think
of that would need
representation in the government
and would actively help someone
get elected?
Sometimes leaders in our government have help
getting elected by certain groups that have an
interest at stake.
Why is it important for politicians
to keep in mind what their
constituents’ viewpoints are?
These groups help the politician to get elected
with the expectation that when the politician is in
office, he or she will remember them and help
them get laws passed that benefit them.
So many politicians in America
and other democracies take into
account the viewpoint of their
constituents when trying to pass
laws. How are a monarchy,
theocracy and dictatorship
different?
The leaders see certain issues from the point of
view of the group that helped them get elected.
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What can a citizen do to
have an active role in a
democratic or republican
form of government?
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Citizens can
participate
but only by
joining the
ruling party.
Elections are
held but the
candidates
follow the
dictator’s
beliefs.
Citizens
become
caught up in
the
excitement
and support
for the govt.
Citizens can
not speak
out lawfully
against the
dictator.
How is the role of a citizen
different in countries with a
totalitarian dictatorship?
Propaganda is on television,
in news articles, and in
schools. It constantly tells
people how great the govt.
is and how bad the
opposition is.
The government often
stages rallies, parades ,
etc. to show that a lot
of people support the
dictator.
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What is happening in
this image?
Where do you think this
rally is taking place?
What type of
government do you
think these people live
in? How can you tell?
How does the
government get this
much support?
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How can cultural beliefs affect government
decision-making?
Example: All government leaders in China are members of the Communist
Party. China has welcomed free enterprise in its economy but it still does
not allow rival political parties. Because the government leaders believe
that the Communist party is the best party for China, it is not likely that
they will allow opposition in elections.
Explain how the example of is an
example of cultural belief affecting
government decision-making.
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What conflicts have Vietnam and China had in the past?
Why might Vietnam be fearful of China?
What affect would size and proximity have on their relationship?
China
Vietnam
Vietnamese folk literature came into being very early and had a profound effect on the
spiritual life of the Viet. The folk literature contributed to the formation of Vietnam's
national identity with praising beauty, humanism, and the love of goodness. Legends,
fairy tales, humorous stories, folk songs, epic poems have a tremendous vitality and
have lived on until today. Also contributing to the national culture and belief system
are the folk songs and literature that tell of the fear and dislike of China. These age
old beliefs still affect the government,
to dealing with China.
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CHALLENGE QUESTION:
What are some examples of
cultural beliefs impacting
the United States’
government and decisionmaking processes?
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