Foundations of Government Chapter 1 Section 1 Notes

What is Civics? What is a citizen? A legal member of a country The study of the rights and duties of citizens and their governments! What is a citizen? A legal member of a country

Direct Democracy- people make all of the decisions Types of Government Direct Democracy- people make all of the decisions Representative Democracy- citizens choose a smaller group of people to govern them.

Jobs of the Government Keep Order – The government makes laws and enforces laws to help settle conflict. Protect citizens Guide the community Provides services – Government provides water, sewage treatment, garbage services, Fire Dept, and street maintenance to citizens and funds these programs through taxes.

Where was Democracy born? Athens, Greece Athens used direct Democracy. Every citizen had a voice and a vote. Citizens were involved in all decisions. However, all people were not considered citizens. Only men who owned property were citizens.

Principles of Democracy Rule of Law – All people even rulers must obey the law. Limited Government – The government only has as much power as the people give it. Consent of the Governed – American citizens give the government power. Individual Rights – People have rights that are protected by the government. Representative Government – People elect leaders to make governmental decisions.

American Government “Of the People”- the power of the government comes from the people. “By the People”- American citizens are elected to run the government. “For the People”- The government helps Americans to have a safer and better life.