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

2. 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 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.

3. 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

4. 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