Chapter 3 Sections 3 and 4 3- Duties and Responsibilities of American Citizens 4- Forms of Government

What do you think are the duties of American citizens What do you think are the duties of American citizens? Duties are actions we are required to perform. Serve in court Every adult citizen may be called upon to serve on a jury Attend school Most states require students to attend school from ages 7 to 16 Obey laws Pay taxes Defend the nation The law requires most male citizens aged 18-25 to register with the Selective Service System (SSS) and in the event of war or national emergency they may be drafted, or called upon to serve in the military What are American citizens’ responsibilities? Responsibilities are things we should do. Be informed and vote Voting is one of American citizens’ most important responsibilities for those 18 and older Participate in your community and government Good citizens care about the welfare – the health, prosperity, and happiness – of all members of their community Volunteerism is the practice of offering your time and service to others without receiving payment Respect different opinions and ways of life Respect the rights and property of others Tolerance is respecting and accepting others regardless of differences. This also include respecting private and public property.

Why is the government important? Keep Order Pass and enforce laws Laws help prevent and resolve conflicts and help protect people Establish courts Courts decide whether people accused of crimes are guilty or innocent Provide Security Establish armed forces Protect citizens from foreign attacks Provide Services Protect public health Governments run hospitals Protect public safety Governments run fire and police departments and license drivers Provide public welfare Help people who need assistance when struggling financially or are disabled Guide the Community Develop public policy Public policy refers to the decisions and actions a government takes to solve problems in the community, like financial planning Manage the economy Conduct foreign relations with other countries

Democratic Government Types of Government Democratic Government Representative Democracy: citizens choose a group of people to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf. Republic: Citizens have a role in choosing elected leaders The United States has this form of government Constitutional Monarchy: government with a hereditary leader Democracy works on the principle of majority rule Authoritarian Government Authoritarian regimes: power is held by one person or group not accountable to the people Dictatorship- many dictators come to power by the use of force and rarely give up their power Many dictators force their people to accept totalitarian rule where the government controls almost all aspects of the people’s lives These rulers often have an ideology, or strict idea about life and society The United States has a federal system of government which means that government power is divided between the national or federal government and the states Also, local government serve towns, cities, and counties The nation government has the highest level of authority over citizens A state government cannot make a law that goes against a law of the national government Each of the 50 states has its own government that can decide matters for the people of their state Marriage laws rules for schooling Hold elections Build roads and bridges