US Government

1
US Government

• Unit One
• Chapter One Civics Today

2
What is Civics?

• Civics is the study of the rights and duties of
  citizens.

3
The Need for Government

• What is a government?
• A government is the ruling authority of a
  community.
• A government has the power to make and enforce
  laws for its members or citizens.

4
The Need for Government

• Thomas Hobbs claimed that without government,
  people would compete for territory, resources,
  and power. Fighting, then, would be common place,
  and survival would depend on both strength and
  cunning.
• Government, therefore, can make it possible for
  people to live together peacefully and
  productively.

5
What are some key functions of government?

• 1. Governments help to keep order and provide
  security
• They make laws to help prevent conflicts among
  people and to settle conflicts that do arise
• They set up armed forces and agencies to defend
  citizens and their land from enemies
• 2. They provide services that would not be
  available without cooperation and coordination
• To keep the public healthy and safe, and help the
  needy

6
What are some key functions of government?

• 3. They guide the community by
• Setting public policy
• A course of government action to achieve
  community goals
• Formulating budgets
• A plan for collecting and spending money
• Developing relations with the communitys
  neighbors and other outsiders

7
Levels of Government

• What are the levels of government in the US, from
  the broadest to the narrowest?
• The National (Federal) Government
• Has authority over the next two
• The State Governments
• Has authority over Local
• Must submit to Federal
• The Local Governments
• Must submit to both State and Federal

8
Government in the US

• The United States has a type of government that
  is known as a democracy.
• This type of government rests the power in the
  hands of the people, not a single ruler, or even
  a group of rulers.
• The word democracy comes from the Greek words
• Demos people
• Kratein to rule
• Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy

9
Government in the US

• The United States is not a direct democracy
• Meaning that, unlike ancient Athens, all citizens
  do not meet and debate government matters and
  vote firsthand
• Citizens in the U.S. choose a smaller group to
  represent them, make laws, and govern on their
  behalf
• This is known as a representative democracy

10
Government in the US

• Democracies have free and open elections
• Everyones vote carries the same weight
• One person, one vote
• All candidates have the right to express their
  views freely
• Legal requirements for voting are kept to a
  minimum
• Citizens may vote freely by secret ballot,
  without fear of punishment

11
5 Fundamental Principles of American Democracy

• Rule of Law
• All people are bound by law
• Limited Government
• The government may do only what the people give
  it power to do
• Consent of the Governed
• Citizens are the source of government power
• And that, by voting

12
5 Fundamental Principles of American Democracy

• Democracy
• The people rule
• 5. Representative Government
• People elect their leaders

13
Americas Citizens

• The US Constitution (The Supreme Law of the Land
  in the United States), establishes two ways to
  become a citizen
• By birth
• A process called naturalization (for foreigners)

14
Americas Citizens

• You would automatically be a citizen if
• You were born in a state, D.C., in an American
  territory, or on a US military base overseas
• A child born abroad to American parents may hold
  dual citizenship
• Children born on US soil to non-US citizens can
  acquire citizenship (except foreign diplomats).
• American citizens hold their citizenship for
  life, unless they choose to give it up.

15
Americas CitizensNaturalization Process

• Noncitizens (aliens) may become naturalized
  citizens
• They may apply for citizenship after living in
  the U.S. for 5 years (3 years if married to a
  U.S. citizen)
• Then they will have an interview with and INS
  agent (Immigration and Naturalization Service)
• Then they can take the citizenship exam
• If the INS decides to grant citizenship, the new
  citizen pledges allegiance to this country in a
  ceremony
• The U.S. restricts the number of immigrants who
  can enter the country. Preference goes to
  relatives of U.S. citizens and people with needed
  skills

16
Americas Citizens

• Every U.S. citizen today is a product of
  immigration
• Today, Latin America accounts for the largest
  share of newcomers, followed by Asia
• Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group

17
Americas Citizens

• Americans are ethnically diverse
• 65 - Non-Hispanic Whites
• 16 - Hispanic
• 13 - African American
• 5 - Asian
• 1-2 - Native American
• American culture is a rich blend of various
  influences