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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Activity Watch the following videos on the LA Riots
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7. 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!!!

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. -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

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