1. Chapter Four A Tradition of Democracy Rights and Responsibilities
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Citizen Duties and Responsibilities

3. U.S. Citizenship
civil rights are guaranteed to all U.S. citizens by the government
all U.S. citizens have important duties and responsibilities to fulfill for the government

4. Duties of Citizenship
Duties are actions citizens are required by law to
perform
duties are the "musts" of citizenship
penalties or punishments for failing to perform duties
required duties of all citizens are described in the Constitution and in the laws of the country and the states
the success of our system of government depends on all citizens' fulfilling these duties
Certain actions are the duty of all citizens:
Obeying the Law
Attending School
Paying Taxes
Serving in the Armed Forces
Appearing in Court

5. Duties of Citizenship Obeying the Law
one of the most important duties of citizenship
a system of government can work only if citizens respect and obey the laws
important to know what the laws are
ignorance of the law excuses no one

6. Duties of Citizenship Attending School
one of the first duties of all Americans is to pursue an education
U.S. places a high value on education
government provides publicly funded schools
guarantees all young Americans the opportunity to study and learn in order to develop their talents and abilities
provides people with the knowledge they need to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of citizenship
helps ensure that citizens have the skills necessary to join the workforce and promote economic growth
ensures freedom and the future of the country

7. Duties of Citizenship Paying Taxes
needed to pay for the many different services provided by the government
military defenses, police and fire protection, paved streets, schools, electrical lines, wastewater treatment, and many more
collected by federal government and almost all state and local governments

8. Duties of Citizenship Serving in the Armed Forces
duty to help the country if it is threatened
defend the United States by serving in the armed forces
18-year-old men must register with Selective Service
government keeps track of the names and addresses of all men of draft age
ensures that if a war or other crisis requires that the country quickly expand its armed forces the draft could be implemented again
Draft = A policy requiring men
to serve in the military.
draft laws are generally put into effect during times of war
U.S. has used only volunteers in armed forces since 1973

9. Duties of Citizenship Appearing in Court
report to serve as members of a jury if called
summons – jury duty
must testify in court if called as witnesses
subpoena – court order
the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial depends on citizens' fulfilling their duty to serve on juries and appear as witnesses 9

10. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Responsibilities are things citizens are supposed to do as good citizens
responsibilities are the “shoulds" of citizenship
no penalties or punishments for failing to perform responsibilities - only societal consequences
important to the success of the country and the well-being of the people
Certain actions are the responsibility of all citizens:
Voting
Being Informed
Taking Part in Government
Helping Your Community
Respecting and Protecting Others' Rights 10

11. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Voting
one of the most important rights of U.S. citizens
one of the most important responsibilities
helps decide who the leaders of government will be
helps to determine what actions the government will take
the vote of every citizen counts
vital way of expressing your political views
carries out the constitutional ideal of government by consent of the governed
one of the great privileges citizens of the United States have 11

12. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Being Informed
citizens have a responsibility to be well informed
to cast their votes wisely
education helps prepare citizens for this important
responsibility
should stay informed about current events so
that they can better understand important issues
should take an active interest in the programs
and activities of the government
should learn what policies are favored by each
candidate running for office
should tell their representatives what they
think about issues of public concern 12

13. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Taking Part in Government
citizens should be involved in their government
as members of a political party or as independent voters
democratic government cannot truly represent the interests of the minority if too many people refuse to participate and will not share their viewpoints with government leaders
some citizens must be willing to serve as officials of government
the quality of any democratic government depends on the quality of the people who serve in it 13

14. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Helping Your Community
take pride in your community
make sure that your community can take pride in you
respect others' property
take an active part in the affairs of your community
give time to help improve your neighborhood, town, or city
volunteer your services and time at public places
library, parks, schools, youth centers, senior centers
help serve poor people or elderly residents who cannot care for themselves
cooperate with the police through community organizations
Citizens on Patrol, neighborhood watch
learn more about your community and encourage
others to participate as well

15. Responsibilities of Citizenship
Respecting and Protecting Others' Rights
all Americans must take part in defending human rights
the success of the United States depends on the protection of the rights of all its citizens
citizens play an important role in protecting American civil rights
know what rights all people share so you can be sure to respect those rights
recognize when people's rights are being violated so you can act to help protect and defend those rights 15