Government Chapter 1 continued of the people, by the people, for the people … Abe Lincoln

What is Civics? Citizens have responsibilities and privileges just like you at home- (you have chores and you are rewarded for doing them) Citizens- members of a community who owe loyalty to a government and, in turn, are entitled to the protection of that government Civics is the study of the duties and rights of citizens

Citizens May live in or outside of a country Part of a community Share common history, customs and values Abide by government’s authority and rules

Government Citizenship gives people legal rights and are allowed to participate in the government These groups of citizens forms a community. How are these communities managed? Government- the ruling authority for a community

The Functions of Government Makes laws (rules of conduct) Provides services *roads, education, fire department, hospitals, etc. Keep order and provide security *enforces laws *armed forces, police departments Plan for the future (guide the community) *set goals (public policies), budgets

Activity Watch the following videos on the LA Riots https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqHFFJIEtE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P43WZd61 1WA&feature=related https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWNB01x Gj4&feature=related https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut3xsdkIW hg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tydDuRUW TzI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6gGJOQ8e TU&t=33s

Activity (cont.) You will get into assigned groups of four and answer the following questions and share with the class: What potential solutions that would resolve or prevent the problems that were observed? Do you think that the government should reacted sooner? Why? Be prepared to discuss!!!

National (Federal) State Local (parish, city) Levels of Government National (Federal) State Local (parish, city)

National Government Highest level of authority in a country Makes and enforces laws for the entire country Provides the basic framework for citizenship Capital is located at Washington, D.C, (District of Columbia) on the east coast between Virginia and Maryland

State Government All 50 states have a government that is separate from the federal level Makes and enforces laws for the good of the citizens of the state Level of government that can provide the easiest for its constituents LA’s capital is located at Baton Rouge

Local Government Level of government that is closest to the American people Parishes (LA) are also called counties (48 states) and boroughs (Alaska) Could refer to the parish, city, town, or village (based on population)

Dictatorship Government that is controlled by a small group or by one person Leader(s) has complete control of government, law making, and citizens Citizens are often told where to live, what work they will do, and they may or may not travel outside the country Example: Castro in Cuba, Gadhafi in Libya

Direct Democracy Created by the ancient Athenians more than 2,500 years ago All adult male citizens participated directly in the government Every issue was debated and voted on So who created the 1st democracy? Will a direct democracy work in the US today?

Representative Democracy Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf Americans are the source of the government’s authority Citizens are the final source of authority The US is the oldest (225+ years) representative democracy in the world

How Citizens Influence Government Through elections of senators, representatives, president and vice president Voicing concerns via mail, e-mail, telephone calls, or public opinion polls Joining political parties

Principles of American Democracy The power of the government comes from the people The American people, through their representatives, run their government The purpose of government, is to make a better place for its inhabitants

Because democratic governments exist by the people, all genuine democracies have free, fair, and competitive elections -everyone’s vote carries the same weight- one person, one vote -all candidates have the right to express their views freely to the public -citizens can support candidates/ issues of their choice -voting requirements are kept to a minimum (age, citizenship, residence)

-competing political parties give voters a choice of candidates -the loosing political party can serve as the other’s watch dog -majority rule, while respecting the rights of the minority (Rousseau) Majority Rule- political principle providing that the members of a community has the power to make laws that are binding upon all the people. Public Policy- the course of action the government takes in response to an issue of problem

How do most governments settle conflicts between citizens? Judges and Courts