Civics M-STEP REVIEW

What is the difference between “Civic Responsibility” and “Private Responsibility? Civic Responsibilities Vote in elections Participate in government at all levels Pay taxes Obey the laws Serve on a jury

What is the difference between “Civic Responsibility” and “Private Responsibility? Private Responsibilities Be fiscally responsible Follow moral and ethical codes Educate oneself Care for family and friends Care for personal health and safety "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson (1816)

What happens when Civic and Private responsibilities clash? Civil Disobedience Protest a government law that goes against your moral or ethics Knowingly break the law Peacefully accept the consequences

What is Popular Sovereignty? The people, not government, have the final say Authority for government comes from the people

Why is Popular Sovereignty important? How it limits government: Government exists to protect our rights, not grant them

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Amendment 9 of Constitution Not all the rights of the people are listed in the Bill of Rights, but that does not mean they can be violated Preamble of Constitution “We the people …” Declaration of Independence: "whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty etc.], it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government,..."

What is Rule of Law? Law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Why is Rule of Law important? How it limits government: Even government officials and leaders are not above the law

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Declaration of Independence: explains the foundations our government is built on Constitution: explains how that government will work

What are Checks and Balances? A way to keep government from becoming too powerful Each branch checks the others

Why are Checks and Balances important? How it limits government:

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Constitution: Article 1: created Legislative Branch (Congress) Article 2: created Executive Branch (Presidency) Article 3: created Judiciary Branch (Courts)

What are Separation of Powers? Each branch of government has powers exclusively its own

Why are Separation of Powers important? How it limits government: No branch of government can become too powerful

What is The Social Compact? 1.Humans do not naturally want government, but … 2.government can help keep us safe, protect rights and property, so… 3.Humans agree to form governments (social contract)

Why is The Social Compact important? How it limits government: Power comes from the people The people decide when change is needed

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Declaration of Independence: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, "

What are Natural Rights? Rights you are born with They cannot be taken away or granted by government Also known as “inalienable (unalienable) rights”

Why are Natural Rights important? How it limits government: There is a power greater than government (“God”; “Nature”)

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”

What is Separation of Church and State? Government shall not create a national religion Government shall not force, or prohibit, you from worshipping

Why is Separation of Church and State important? How it limits government: Government-imposed religion would give government extra powers Who to worship / believe in How to worship When to worship May not allow you to believe or worship

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Constitution First Amendment The Establishment Clause prohibits the creation of a national religion, and also prohibits the US government from favoring one religion over another or excessively entangling itself with religious issues or groups.government

What is Republicanism? People grant the power to govern to government a political system where the people elect representatives to carry out the work of government

Why is Republicanism important? How it limits government: The people elect leaders

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Declaration of Independence: Colonists recognized Parliament was too far away (England) to be effective “no taxation without representation” Constitution: We vote for president every four years …

What is Federalism? Power is divided between a national government and state governments

Why is Federalism important? How it limits government

Where is it in the Constitution or Declaration of Independence? Constitution Article 1: powers granted to Congress (enumerated powers) Article 6: The Constitution and laws passed under it or the “supreme law of the land” (supremacy clause) Article 10: powers Congress doesn’t have = powers the states have Any part of the Constitution that limits or gives powers to Federal government State government

Enumerated Powers Article 1 of Constitution Any powers given to Congress However … Elastic clause Necessary and proper

Bicameralism Legislature (lawmaking body) is made up of two houses

What is a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)? an organization that is neither a part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business

What is the purpose of international organizations? Multiple nations organize as one to achieve goals they cannot achieve alone

Questions?