Preparing for Each Chapter Outline chapter – i.e. chapter title and section headings Note key chapter terms in bold under their respective section Read (first and last sentence of )each paragraph for relevance Attend class and fill in additional information covered under respective section heading Review outline/notes after each class Ask questions as needed

Citizenship in Our Changing Democracy Democracy – form of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected leaders (p.3) Citizenship – Status conferring rights and protections to members of the political community but, in return, requiring allegiance and involvement (p.3)

Politics, Power, and Participation Politics – The process by which we choose government officials and make decisions about public policy (p.3) Civic Life – Participation in the collective life of the community (p.3) Government – The body charged with making official policies for its citizens (p.3) Civil Society – The broad array of voluntary associations that bring citizens together to deal with community and social issues of common concern (p.3) ; a.k.a. social capital = necessary ingredient in democracy

Types of Government (POLITICS) Monarchy/dictatorship – single person absolute power Representative democracy – form of government in which popular d.m. is restricted to electing or appointing the public officials who make public policy (p. 4) Pure (direct) democracy – decision making done by entire citizenry *U.S. = representative democracy using majority rule & protections for minority rights

Political POWER (p.4) Modern U.S. = both theories Ruling Elite Theory – View positing that wealthy and well-educated citizens exercise a disproportionate amount of influence over political decision making (p. 4 & 5) Pluralism – View positing that various groups and coalitions constantly vie for government favor and the ability to exercise political power but none enjoys long-term dominance (p.5)

PARTICIPATION and Democracy Active citizens essential to success of democracy (p.3) Political participation – taking part in activities like voting, or running for office aimed at influencing the policies or leadership of government (p.9)

AMERICAN Political Ideals Ideologies – Ideas, values and beliefs about how government should operate (p.7) Liberal Democracy – Ideology stressing individual rights and expressing faith in popular control of government (p.7) – Three essential notions: 1) natural rights 2) formation of social contract by governed 3) majority rule

The Changing Face of the American Citizenry Growing Diversity – land of immigrants Growing Older – “graying of America” Growing Apart – *SOCIAL CLASS (combo. of wealth, income, education and occupation) - now have “classlessness” - economic gap growing

The Future of Citizenship Service Learning Programs Social Capital Civic Engagement *VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION IN “OUR” DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY