functions of government, citizenship, duties and responsibility

1. What would our world be like without government? Thomas Hobbes said life without government would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” According to Hobbes, humans naturally compete for territory, resources and power. If this is true, and if there are no laws… what would result? Goal 10 C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

2. Government– the ruling authority of a community, an organization that has the power to make and enforce laws. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

3. Functions of Government Keep Order Pass and enforce laws, Establish courts Provide services Schools, libraries, hospitals, parks, water, fire/police departments Provide security Prevent crime, protect citizens from foreign attack Guide the community Manage the economy, foreign relations C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

4. Foundations of American Government The ideas of John Locke – English philosopher, wrote Second Treatise of Government Main purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rights Natural Rights: right you have because you are human LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY No Absolute Power for Kings State of Nature – situation without laws and government Social Contract Theory = solution to a state of nature People agree to give up some freedom and create a government to rule in exchange for protection and security. In this agreement people consent to obey the laws created by the government. (“the consent of the governed”) C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

5. Foundations of American Government: republicanism (little “r”) –example Rome Republic – the people’s representatives administer the government, allowing it to be extended over a much larger area. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

6. Foundations of American Government: democracy (little “d”) – example Greece democracy – the authority of government rests with the people. US is a representative democracy – citizens choose a smaller group of people to represent them US is not a direct democracy – citizens vote on each issue proposed to the government. Direct Democracies work in very small communities. (ex. New England town mtgs.) C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

7. Foundations of American Government: Montesquieu – a French philosopher Powers of Gov’t should be separated Power should be balanced Each branch should check the others to ensure no one branch is too powerful C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

8. THE UNITED STATES HAS A Representative Democracy C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

9. US Levels of Government ** FEDERALISM – the principle of one central government and several state or local governments. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

10. WHAT IS CIVICS? Civics – the study of rights and duties of citizens C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

11. Why bother? Some ideas: jury duty voting making and economic investment want to change the government you have been discriminated against pay taxes if you break the law / go to jail What is the benefit of being informed of our political and economic systems? C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

12. What is a citizen? Citizen – a member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to it by birth or naturalization and is entitled to full civil rights. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

13. Citizens have duties and responsibilities. What’s the difference? Duty – an action required by law Ex. jury duty, going to school, obeying the law, paying taxes Responsibility– an action that a citizen should take Ex. community service, voting, service in the military, displaying patriotism C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

14. Citizenship One can become a citizen by Birth (natural born citizen) Citizen by blood – parents are US Citizens Citizen by soil – born on US soil but your parents are not US citizens. (this does not apply to children of diplomats) Becoming a US citizen (naturalized citizen) Immigrant signs a declaration of intention that is filed with the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) (Note: the CIS was once called the INS – Immigration and Naturalization Services) One may file an application for citizenship, after living in the US for 5 years (if you are married to a US Citizen, 3 years), living in your state for 3 months, and reaching the age of 18 yrs.. Applicant meets with a CIS official for an interview– official is looking for good moral character Applicant must pass a citizenship test. Applicant pledges oath of allegiance to the US C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

15. What about their children? If applicant has children under the age of 18, they automatically become citizens. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

16. Is everyone who applies granted citizenship? Millions apply for citizenship each year but only about 675,000 are accepted each year. Relatives and people with needed job skills have priority in receiving citizenship. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

17. “E Pluribus Unum” – out of many, one We are a nation of immigrants Immigrant– people legally admitted as permanent residents of a country. Illegal Immigrants – or “undocumented” are those residing in the US without permission from the government. Alien – non-citizen C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

18. Is the US as a “Melting Pot” or a “Salad Bowl”? Melting Pot this metaphor is used to describe a culture in which groups of people have lost their specific identities (in other words they have assimilated into the dominate culture) Salad Bowl this metaphor is used to describe a culture in which groups maintain their unique identities within the larger group. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

19. CITIZENSHIP What does that really mean? C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

20. Citizen: an official member of a country If you are born in the US, you are automatically a US citizen! (unless your parents are official representatives of another country) If both your parents are US citizens at the time of your birth, you are a US citizen no matter where you are born! If one of your parents is a US citizen, and the other parent is a citizen of another country, you have dual citizenship. These situations are individually handled. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

21. Aliens: non-citizens Illegal: either did not apply or were denied and stayed (aka undocumented immigrants) Estimated 10 million in the US It’s illegal to hire or house illegal aliens If caught, illegal aliens are deported Legal: Hold jobs, own property, go to school, travel, pay taxes, obey laws Cannot vote, run for office, or work for the government Must carry ID at ALL times C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

22. Immigrants: permanent aliens Millions apply, only thousands are accepted Having relatives, talents, job skills, or money to invest increases chances of being accepted There have been several “waves” of immigration in US history C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

23. Naturalization: the process of becoming a citizen 1stStep: file a Declaration of Intention 2nd Step: (about a 5-year wait after step one) File an application with Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS) 3rd Step: if application is approved, you interview with an examiner (you’ll be asked questions about history, gov’t, and why you want to be a citizen) 4th Step: Oath of Loyalty (if you have children under the age of 18, they too become citizens) C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

24. Is it permanent? Ways to Lose Your US Citizenship: If you become a citizen of another country You threaten to overthrow the gov’t You serve in the military of another country C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

25. Citizenship: Duties and Responsibilities C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

26. Duties: required to do Obey the laws Pay taxes Defend the nation (men, 18 and older if drafted) Serve in court (juror, witness) Attend school (in an attempt to make you an informed citizen) C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

27. Responsibilities: should do Be informed Vote Participate in government (volunteer firemen, coaches, community organizations) Respect others physically, property, diversity (tolerance) C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com