Government of the People, by the People, for the People.  Civics- is the study of citizenship and government.  The word Civics comes form the Latin word “civics, meaning citizen.

In ancient Rome where the word Civics was 1 st used.  only wealthy land owners could be citizens.  Today the word citizen- means a member of community with a government and laws.

Citizenship now applies to most people.  Wealth and property are no longer  requirements.

The purpose of government.  Government, is the power or authority that rules a country.

The authority that government provides is essential.  It provides stability.

In the united States we have stability.  We take things like school and a walk in the park for granted. Our government provides law and order.

In Iraq they lack stability such things are not taken for granted.

The need for government.  Without government how would disagreement’ s be settled?

The strongest person would win even if they were wrong.

Rules help protect us against others

Government makes Wayne Nebraska a safe place to live  The lack of government makes Iraq a very dangerous place to live.

We take traveling between towns for granted, but not in Iraq

Rules help us live peacefully!

What governments do  Provide rules of conduct  They make sure that people obey rules.  Provide education

Set up Armed services (police and military.

Governments provide health services

Governments plan for the future and prepare budgets

There are many different levels of government  National government the government of the entire country. Citizenship- you share a history and set of beliefs with the rest of the country’s citizens

Dictatorship and Democracy  Dictatorship- a government that one person or a small group of people control

Democracy- citizens hold the power to rule and make laws.

2 kinds of Democracy- Direct and Representative.  Direct- the citizens vote on every individual issue.  Representative Democracy- citizens elect people to represent them.

Citizens influence government  Americans elect representatives to our National government including Senators, members of the House of Representatives, President and Vice President.

United States citizens can influence government by joining a political party.