Civics Principles & Citizenship

What is Civics? Civics – study of citizenship, government & the rights and duties of citizens Civics – study of citizenship, government & the rights and duties of citizens Citizen – member of a community with government and laws that has certain rights & responsibilities Citizen – member of a community with government and laws that has certain rights & responsibilities Class Question: Why is important to know about your rights and duties? Class Question: Why is important to know about your rights and duties?

What is a government and what does it do? Government – the power that rules a country or community Government – the power that rules a country or community –Makes laws, provides services, keeps order & guides the community (public policy) –Services include armed forces, police, fire department, schools, hospitals & road construction –Governments make laws & enforce them –Courts are established to decide truth & justice

What happens when there isn’t a government? Anarchy – a state of lawlessness, without rules or order Anarchy – a state of lawlessness, without rules or order Class Question: What would life be like if we didn’t have rules? Class Question: What would life be like if we didn’t have rules?

Thomas Hobbes on Government English philosopher English philosopher Wrote about the need to have government because people are naturally bad Wrote about the need to have government because people are naturally bad Survival of the fittest – we act as animals Survival of the fittest – we act as animals Class Question: Are humans naturally bad? Class Question: Are humans naturally bad?

Aristotle’s 3 types of Government Aristotle Aristotle –Ancient Greek philosopher, student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great Identified 3 types of government Identified 3 types of government 1. Dictatorship 1. Dictatorship –Rule by one –Leaders have complete control over laws & government & therefore over citizens –Ancient example: Julius Caesar 2. Oligarchy 2. Oligarchy –Rule by few. –Ancient example: Sparta 3. Democracy 3. Democracy –Rule by many (citizens). –Ancient example: Athens

Modern Types of Government Modern political scientists group them differently – Authoritarian and Democracy Modern political scientists group them differently – Authoritarian and Democracy

Authoritarian Power held by a person or group that is not accountable to the people Power held by a person or group that is not accountable to the people 3 types 3 types –Absolute Monarchy – King with unlimited power –Dictatorship – person who takes power by force – likely to control police & military –Totalitarian – state run media – control all aspects of citizens lives

Absolute Monarchy

Dictatorship

Totalitarian

Democracy Rulers are accountable to its citizens Rulers are accountable to its citizens Usually includes many rulers Usually includes many rulers Usually limited by a constitution Usually limited by a constitution Allows people to voice opinions by voting or participating in government Allows people to voice opinions by voting or participating in government 2 types of Democracy 2 types of Democracy

The Two Types of Democracy Constitutional Monarchy Constitutional Monarchy –King whose power is limited by a constitution Republic Republic –Leaders do not inherit positions but are chosen by the people –2 types  Direct Democracy – people have the power to write laws & rule – established in Athens  Indirect or Representative Democracy – citizens elect lawmakers allowing citizens to hold power over the lawmakers – ex. United States

Citizens Vote for national, state & local officials Vote for national, state & local officials Join political parties & interest groups to express views Join political parties & interest groups to express views Government is put in place by the people to serve the people Government is put in place by the people to serve the people

Paths to Citizenship Birth – born in the U.S. boundaries including territories (jus soli – law of soil) or your parents are U.S. citizens (jus sanguinis – law of blood) Birth – born in the U.S. boundaries including territories (jus soli – law of soil) or your parents are U.S. citizens (jus sanguinis – law of blood) o Only kids born of foreign diplomats that the US has no jurisdiction over are not considered U.S. citizens Naturalization – process by which foreigners can become citizens Naturalization – process by which foreigners can become citizens

Other types of people in the U.S. Alien – person from another country living in the U.S. who has not become a citizen – can be legal or illegal Alien – person from another country living in the U.S. who has not become a citizen – can be legal or illegal Immigrant – people who permanently move to a new country Immigrant – people who permanently move to a new country Dual Citizenship – a citizen of two countries Dual Citizenship – a citizen of two countries

Illegal Aliens People in the country without permission from the U.S. government People in the country without permission from the U.S. government Cannot legally hold a job in the U.S. Cannot legally hold a job in the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) investigates cases – ICE today Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) investigates cases – ICE today –Ceased to exist after 2003 w/ formation of Dept. of Homeland Security. Now part of the ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) –Major problems in Mexico today Major problems in Mexico todayMajor problems in Mexico today Still pay taxes – sales tax, income, payroll, property Still pay taxes – sales tax, income, payroll, property

Illegal Aliens

Legal Aliens Lives are similar to U.S. citizen Lives are similar to U.S. citizen Must obey U.S. laws & pays taxes Must obey U.S. laws & pays taxes Cannot vote in elections or run for office Cannot vote in elections or run for office Cannot work most government jobs or serve on a jury Cannot work most government jobs or serve on a jury Some eventually become U.S. citizens Some eventually become U.S. citizens

Naturalization Process Naturalization Process – where an alien becomes a U.S. citizen Naturalization Process – where an alien becomes a U.S. citizen –Declaration of Intent – intends to become a U.S. citizen –Take citizenship classes –Take citizenship test – in English –Background check –Ceremony & Oath in court All children of the naturalized citizen under 18 get automatic citizenship All children of the naturalized citizen under 18 get automatic citizenship

Naturalization Activity You will now be given a sample of questions that are on the naturalization test. You will now be given a sample of questions that are on the naturalization test. –How many did you get right? Oath of Allegiance Oath of Allegiance Oath of Allegiance Oath of Allegiance –Remember you must give up your old allegiance to your former country

Restrictions on Immigration Quota – the U.S. restricts the amount of immigrants that come into the country every year Quota – the U.S. restricts the amount of immigrants that come into the country every year Legal Immigration & Revision Act – 1990 Legal Immigration & Revision Act – 1990 –Increased the quota of immigrants allowed to enter the U.S. (about 675,000 per year) –Gave special considerations to those with needed job skills

Immigration to the US by Decade

School House Rock Clip Class Discussion: Class Discussion: –What does it mean that America is a melting pot? –Where did your ancestors come from? –What things in America have we adopted from immigrants?

The Melting Pot that is Our Country Diversity Diversity –We live in a diverse society –We are a nation of immigrants  Changing Face of America Changing Face of America Changing Face of America National Motto National Motto –E Pluribus Unum – Out of many we become one – shows our diversity –Slavery & segregation go against this concept

Nation of Immigrants

Other Important Civic Terms Patriotism – love for one’s country Patriotism – love for one’s country Nationalism – extreme devotion to one’s country – can give rise to feelings of abhorrence to other nationalities Nationalism – extreme devotion to one’s country – can give rise to feelings of abhorrence to other nationalities

Other Important Civic Terms Terrorism – using violence to achieve political goals Terrorism – using violence to achieve political goals

Other Important Civic Terms Federalism – system of divided power – different levels of government share power Ex: National, State & Local Federalism – system of divided power – different levels of government share power Ex: National, State & Local Presidential System – system like ours where the President is the leader Presidential System – system like ours where the President is the leader Parliamentary System – system like the U.K. where the prime minister is the leader – this is the most common Parliamentary System – system like the U.K. where the prime minister is the leader – this is the most common

Principles of American Democracy Rule of Law – –Everyone has to follow the rules Limited Government – –Government is limited by the people. WE decide how powerful it can get. Consent of the Governed – –Citizens = Power Individual Rights – –Government protects rights. Ex. Bill of Rights Representative Government – –We elect leaders to govern us and make laws