Why is the study of government important?

We all have opinions on everything…..  What are your opinions on the following:  Gun laws  Federally funded /mandated health care  Prayer in school  Welfare  Gay marriage  Abortion  Federally funded college education

 So, yes, we can all have opinions on issues.  But what does this have to do with understanding how government works or functions?

 “ Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” --John F. Kennedy  “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.” --Daniel Patrick Moynihan  “Opinion is the exercise of the human will which helps us to make a decision without information.” --John Erskine Write down and explain the meaning of one of these quotes:

What’s the difference between an informed and uninformed opinion?  Which is easier to argue against?  Has someone ever successfully changed your opinion about a subject? How?

This is one of the more important classes you’ll take in high school! Why?  "No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline." --Kofi Annan

Politics & Government does affect you!  “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.” —Thomas Jefferson  “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” —Pericles, 430 BC

In this 21 st century age of information….  We need to be able to effectively share our opinions.  But we must be educated about the topics.  The purpose of this class is to teach you HOW government works and WHY your involvement matters.

If we fail to teach you this, here is the consequence:  “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill  What does that mean?

And yet:  “ It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” --Winston Churchill  What does THIS mean?

The purpose of this class: Teach you about the various forms of government in the world, with a particular focus on understanding our own. To help you understand what it means to be a “citizen” of a state & nation. To learn about the politics, or process, involved in government and how the making of POLICY affects us all.

UNIT #1 ESSENTIAL QUESTION:  How do people around the world form governments to  Establish order  Provide security  & accomplish common goals?

What is PUBLIC POLICY? THIS IS A TERM THAT WE WILL REFER TO OFTEN IN THIS CLASS.

PUBLIC POLICY  WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES OR DOES NOT DO TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE OR PROBLEM (think about the list of issues we just gave our opinions on)  Policy might take the form of a law or regulation  Policy is directed toward a goal or desired solution  Policymaking is part of an ongoing process; it's often revisited or revised

PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES:  TAXATION  DEFENSE  EDUCATION  CRIME  HEALTHCARE  TRANSPORTATION  ENVIRONMENT  CIVIL RIGHTS  WORKING CONDITIONS