Civic Action, Participation, & Responsibility + Conflict Resolution Goal 4.04 - 4.09

Goal 4.04 What are the characteristics of an active citizen? How can lobbyists influence government? Should violence ever be used to force change in government?

4.04 Getting the Idea: Government for and by the people –democracy- requires citizen participation in political life. People who lack interest and involvement in politics are apathetic. (apathy) Democracy assumes that individuals and society are always improvable.

Voting –the people’s chief means to change society. Mechanisms for change: Voting –the people’s chief means to change society. Petition –getting enough people to sign a petition, citizens may put an issue on the ballot to be decided.

Protest –demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience Methods of Dissent Protest –demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience Brings an issue to people’s attention and tries to create a movement for change.

having a preference to one particular point of view Bias having a preference to one particular point of view

Spoken lies made up with intent to The law recognizes that in a democracy, a person has the right to have his or her life and reputation represented correctly. Slander Spoken lies made up with intent to harm Libel Printed/Written lies to defame a person’s character and reputation.

Laws: 4.05 Getting the Idea: The Constitution creates a relationship between the people and the laws. Laws protect everyone equally. 14th Amendment Members of society are obligated to follow the law and are subject to punishment when they do not. Social Contract Theory  John Locke

Criminal Law Civil Law “Penal Law” Punishes criminals for committing offenses against the state. Murder, theft, and drug trafficking Regulates relationships between persons and organizations. Violations are between persons rather than crimes against state. Resolves such matters as accidents, breach of contract, libel, property damage, and money owed.

Mandatory Sentencing: Fine: Money paid as punishment for minor crimes or as the settlement of a claim Mandatory Sentencing: A judicial decision setting the minimum punishment for a person convicted of a crime where judge has no choice.

Goal 4.06-4.07 Civic Participation Getting the Idea: Society and government serve citizens –but in a democracy, citizens also serve society and government. Political power rests with actions of the citizens. Popular Sovereignty = the people rule

Responsibilities & Duties of Citizenship Citizens are bound together by basic political values and principles. Members are expected to follow the social contract –an agreement between citizen and their gov’t in which citizens relinquish a portion of their liberty in return for security and set of rights and responsibilities.

Participation in Political Process Informed Electorate Have necessary info to make sound decisions on public issues. Voting How the governed give or withhold their consent. Voting is essential to a democracy. Citizen Activism Get involved Grassroots at local levels

Participation in Judicial Process Jury Duty Constitution provides for trial by jury Witness in trial Knowledge of law and how legal system operates. Sit in on trials to make sure courts are functioning properly

Civic Virtue Patriotism =love of and support for one’s country (loyalty) Military Public Service Holding Government position Community volunteering

Public Service Opportunities Volunteerism Give time freely & acquire real-world experience Federal Public Service: AmeriCorps National service programs to meet social needs in education, health, public safety, the environment, and more. Peace Corps JFK established U.S. citizens spend two years in foreign country helping with basic needs such as schooling and health care. Senior Corps Network of programs that tap experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges.

Civic Responsibility ~Goal 4.08~ Getting the Idea: In order for our government to work, we rely on an informed, involved citizenry. People have rights, but they come with responsibilities, or actions they should do. Freedoms also come with duties, which are actions citizens must do.

Legal vs. Moral Responsibilities: Obey the laws, and you have fulfilled your basic legal obligation. Moral requires people to follow ethical principles –consider common good above self-interest.

4.09 Conflict & Resolution Getting the idea: Public issues and problems affect society as a whole. How to best meet the nation’s education needs is a public issue. Both government and individuals have the responsibility to deal with public issues and problems.

Public Issues & Problems During slow economic times, unemployment (joblessness) and underemployment (working in jobs in which one is overqualified) rises. Poverty –an economically substandard existence because of insufficient income or resources to meet needs. Baby boomers –people born after WWII, increases Social Security. Homelessness Natural Disasters New Immigration Causes new diseases brought into country, may aggravate continuing problem of racism and discrimination. Environmental Problems Waste disposal, greenhouse effect, acid rain, pollution Political Corruption Using political office & power for illegal gain

APATHY A lack of interest/motivation in civic and political life. Contradicts the principles in democracy Why low voter turn-out? Don’t care!! Don’t think their vote matters!! Pure laziness Not educated about issues

Talking to reach a compromise. Resolving Conflicts Legal Action Citizens can go to small claims court to handle civil cases (less than $5,000) Pre-hearing Settlement is when parties in a civil dispute reach an agreement and avoid trial. Compromise Working out problems to find mutually satisfactory solutions: Negotiation Talking to reach a compromise.

The Law of Arbitration for the Quarreling Giants When problem is resolved for you by a third party. Ex. Labor disputes The Law of Arbitration for the Quarreling Giants

Mediation: When you are able to resolve issues with other party on your own with third party present. Ex. Private disputes –divorce