Duties and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Responsibilities, Duties, and Obligations of Citizenship Over the centuries, any number of statesmen, philosophers, and others have told us that citizenship carries with it both duties and responsibilities. Theodore Roosevelt put that point this way in 1902: “The first requisite of a good citizen in our republic is that he should be able and willing to pull his weight.”

Being a Good Citizen In a democratic society, the duties of “a good citizen” all revolve around his or her commitment to obey the law—a point long accepted in this country. In his Farewell Address in 1796, George Washington put that obligation this way: “the very idea of the power and right of the People to establish Government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.”

Responsibilities The several responsibilities of “a good citizen” in a free society all come down to this: an abiding respect for each of the core beliefs on which democracy is based in this country. A citizen is one who holds both rights and responsibilities in a state. What is the difference between personal and civic responsibilities? Personal responsibilities encompass taking care of yourself — being responsible for your own behavior, taking care of your family, being considerate of others. Civic responsibilities, on the other hand, involve your role as a citizen of a larger community. They include obeying the law, paying taxes, being informed and voting, respecting the rights of others, serving as a juror, and serving in the armed forces. All of these civic responsibilities serve to strengthen and support the community.

Responsibilities cont… In a democracy, part of every citizen's responsibility is to serve the public good. This involves caring for the welfare of the community including its environment, safety, and education. Volunteering, participating in public service organizations, and seeking opportunities to serve the community are all ways to meet this important obligation.

Participation in a Democracy The most effective form of participation in a democracy is to seek elected office. The decisions being made, the compromises necessary, are all made by individuals who have been selected by their fellow citizens to guide the hand of authority in the ways that best serve their country. Another effective method is to take part in the working of the government itself.

Participation cont… Those who draw up petitions or form action groups to address issues can have a very real effect on public policy. Letters can be written to government leaders including city council members, state legislators, and national Congressmen and -women. Joining political parties, working on campaigns, and contributing time and money towards political causes can also be useful ways to participate, because working to make a party stronger or get a certain candidate elected can have a real impact on laws and policies at all levels of government. The simplest way to participate in politics is to vote, to exercise the right to speak and be heard. Voting at every level, from national to local, helps to ensure that the needs of the people are being heard and addressed. Being informed and participating are rights and responsibilities of every citizen