Chapter 1, Section 1 GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

KEY TERMS Civics – the study of the rights and duties and of citizens Citizen – a member of a community with loyalty to and protection from the government Government – the ruling authority for a community Public policy – a course of government action to achieve community goals Budget – a plan for collecting and spending money Dictatorship – a government controlled by one person or a small group of people Democracy – a government in which the people rule Direct democracy – a government in which all the citizens met to debate government matters and vote firsthand Representative democracy – a government in which the citizens choose a smaller group to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf. Majority rule – a principle of democracy in which differences of opinion are settled by what most people want

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY Rule of Law All people, including those who govern, are bound by the law Limited Government Government is not all-powerful-it may do only those thinkgs that people ave given it the power to do Consent of Governed American citizens are the source of all governmental power Individual Rights In the American democracy, individual rights are protected by government Representative Government People elect government leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf

WHAT DO CITIZENS SHARE? Citizens share a common history, customs, and values They also agree to follow rules and accept the government’s authority.

WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS FORMED? Without governments: No one to make and enforce laws Chaos and fear People would have to meet all their needs on their own

NEED FOR BUDGETS? Governments provide services and armed forces. Libraries, schools, transportation systems, mail, water, ambulance, fire, police, health department, welfare programs, etc. Governments have limited amounts of money, so they have to use it wisely. Therefore they must budget or have a plan for how they will collect and spend money.

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT National government (Federal Government) Makes and carries out laws for the entire nation State government Decides matters for people in that state Local government State and local governments cannot take actions that go against the laws of the national government.

DEMOCRACY In a democracy, the people rule!! All citizens share in governing and being governed. Majority Rule Individuals are free to develop their talents. Democracies have free, fair, and competitive elections. Everyone’s vote carries the same weight. All candidates have the right to express their views freely. Citizens vote by secret ballot.