1. Citizen Participation in a Democracy
Week #7

2. Bell Ringer Activity
Copy the questions listed below and then analyze the photograph of a lunch counter sit in on the following slide. Answer the questions as you look at the picture.
What interesting details do you see?
What actions do these people appear to be taking?
What problem or problems do you think these people are trying to address?
What do you think the results of their actions were?

4. Illustration or Personal Connection Citizenship
Word
Text Def.
Your Def.
Illustration or Personal Connection
Citizenship
Status of being a citizen
Lawful Permanent Resident
An immigrant who is legally authorized to live and work in the United States permanently, but is not a U.S. citizen
Undocumented Immigrant
A person who has come to the U.S. to live and work without the required legal papers
Naturalization
Legal process whereby a person not being a citizen by birth can become a legal citizen having all same rights
Ideology
A basic set of political beliefs about the roles of government and the individual society.
Liberalism usually Democrats are called liberals
An ideology favoring an active role for government in efforts to solve society’s problems.
Conservatism
Usually Republicans are called conservative
An ideology favoring a limited role for government and more private initiative by nongovernmental groups in efforts to solve society’s problems
Civil Society such as PTA or MADD
Associations and other voluntary groups that form a middle layer in society between government and individual families.

5. Introduction
In 1831, a young French aristocrat, Alexis de Tocqueville, began a nine-month tour of the United States. He wanted to learn about American democracy. As he toured the country, he was struck by the vitality of the American people and their engagement in public life.
When he returned home, Tocqueville published a book called Democracy in American. In the book he observed that Americans form groups in order to complete tasks anywhere from building a church to building schools and many other civic projects.
Many years later in the 1990s, political scientist Robert D. Putnam noticed a different trend in American life. He observed that far fewer Americans were taking part in the kind of cooperative efforts that Tocqueville had admired.
In 2000 Putnam summarized his findings in the book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. In the book he pointed to a sharp decline in the number of people joining bowling leagues, instead he stated that many people chose to bowl alone. Obviously this was a metaphor for the American community life, however Putnam feared the impact this lack of social engagement might have on democracy and civic life.

6. Introductory Question
Do you think that Putnam’s fears are justified?
Are we becoming spectators rather than players in public affairs?
Keep these questions in mind as we go through these notes on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the ways that American today engage in the civic and political life of their communities.

7. Timeline Activity
As we work through the notes create at Timeline that illustrates the major events in the struggle for civil rights from 1857 – 1964.
Name Of Event:
Date:
Short Summary:

8. Civic Rights (Background Info)
The U.S. Constitution, as originally written, did not define citizenship.
It was assumed that state citizens would become U.S. citizens and that a person born in the United States was a citizen.

9. Civic Rights (Background Info)
1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford
This case changed those assumptions.
The Court held that Dred Scott, and enslaved African American born in Virginia, was not a citizen and therefore could not sue for his freedom in federal court.
Chief Justice Roger Taney argued that the framers never meant to include slaves under the protections of the Constitution.
But if Dred Scott was not a citizen, what was he?
What did this mean for other African Americans?
What rights could they claim under U.S. Law?

10. Civic Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in part to address these issues and reverse the Dred Scott decision.
It was ratified in 1868, just three years after the Civil War.
It clarified who was a citizen under the Constitution.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.
Fourteenth Amendment, 1868

11. Civic Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment
Purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment
Extend the rights of citizenship to former slaves.
Declares that all persons born in the United States are citizens no matter where their parents are born.
Declares that states cannot discriminate against citizens or deprive them of their rights without due process of law.

12. Civic Rights and the Jim Crow Laws
1876 southern states passed laws, known as the Jim Crow Laws.
Enforced segregation and denied legal equality to African Americans
Segregation of…
Public Schools
Public Facilities
Public Transportation
Restaurants

13. 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson
The case centered around Homer Plessy, a black man who had been arrested in Louisiana for sitting in a whites-only railroad car.
Plessy challenged his arrest in court. He argued that Jim Crow Laws that segregated blacks from whites violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The decision went against Plessy. The Court held that separate facilities for blacks and whites were legal as long as they were equal. This “separate but equal” doctrine was soon applied to almost every aspect of life in the southern states.

14. 1948 President Truman ends Segregation
President Truman ends segregation in the armed forces.

15. 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
The case focused on the rights of a young African American, Linda Brown, who was prohibited from attending a white school near her home in Topeka, Kansas.
In its decision, the Supreme Court concluded that “separate but equal” facilities by their very nature were unequal.
This decision paved the way for the desegregation of public schools and the launching of the modern civil rights movement.

16. 1964 Civil Rights Act
July 2, 1964 President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.
Banned Discrimination in most areas of American life on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin.
It also committed the U.S. government to protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of skin color or country of birth.

17. Create a “T”-Chart like the one shown below
Civic Rights
Civic Responsibilities

18. Civic Rights The Right to Vote The Right to Hold Public Office
The Right to Claim Certain Social and Economic Benefits
Examples
Some forms of welfare payments
Most jobs in the federal government

19. Civic Responsibilities
Responsibility to Obey the Law
Responsibility to Pay Taxes
Responsibility to Cooperate with Public Officials.
Responsibility to Register for Military Service
Responsibility to be Informed and Participate in Public Affairs

20. Becoming an American Citizen
2 Ways to Become a U.S. Citizen
By Birth
Most Americans are born in the United States, others are born in another country to parents who are U.S. Citizens. Either way, citizens by birth enjoy all the rights and privileges and protections of citizenship.
Naturalization
Is a multi-step process that gives the applicant virtually all the rights and responsibilities of a native-born citizen.

21. The Naturalization Process
Immigration
Immigrants arrive in the United States with a legal visa.
Permanent Residency
Immigrants apply for permanent resident status.
Application
Legal residents who have been in the country for at least five years may apply for citizenship

22. The Naturalization Process
Interview
Applicants are interviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Test
Applicants take an English and civics test
Ceremony
Applicants receive citizenship in a formal ceremony.

23. Naturalization Activity
Create a how-to flier for becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Your flier must include information on or an explanation of the following:
Requirements for becoming a citizen
Application for Naturalization
Interview with an immigration official
Citizenship Ceremony
Rights that new citizens gain
Organize the information in an attractive, easy-to-read format that would help people understand the naturalization process. Include at least three illustrations

24. Political Culture in the United States
Political Culture – a society’s framework of shared values, beliefs, and attitudes concerning politics and government.

25. Americans’ Shared Political Values
Liberty – Americans believe they are entitled to the greatest amount of liberty possible as long as they do no harm to others.
Equality – Americans embrace equality of opportunity regardless of race, religion, or gender.

26. Americans’ Shared Political Values
Democracy – Americans support a democratic system of government. They believe the political authority comes from the people.
Individualism – Americans believe in personal freedom and personal responsibility.

27. Americans’ Shared Political Values
Free Enterprise – Americans support capitalism and a free market economy in which private businesses compete without interference from the government.
Justice and the Rule of Law – Americans believe that society should be governed by a system of laws that are fairly and equally applied.

28. Americans’ Shared Political Values
Patriotism – Americans feel great pride and loyalty toward their country.
Optimism – In general, Americans are upbeat and optimistic.

29. Political Ideologies Liberalism
An ideology that favors and active role for the government in solving society’s problems.
Support…
Regulations on Business and Economy
Reductions in Economic inequality
Regulations to protect the environment and improve the health care system.
Strongly defend liberty and resist government efforts to interfere in people’s personal lives.
The tend to associate themselves with the Democratic Party.

30. Political Ideologies Conservatism
An ideology that calls for a limited role for government in economic affairs.
Oppose government regulations of business.
Most want limit the size of government, reduce taxes, and cut back on government programs.
They look to private initiative, or efforts by nongovernmental groups such as religious congregations, charities, service organizations, and businesses, to deal with many of society’s problems.
The tend to associate themselves with the Republican Party.

31. Political Ideologies. Socialism
The main goal of socialism is to limit economic inequality by ensuring a fair distribution of wealth.
The government owns or controls most of the economic resources needed for the production of goods and services.
In theory a socialist government manages the economy in a way that benefits the majority of citizens.

32. Socialism
In 1901 reformers and workers created the Socialist Party of America.
Greatest Political Success
1912 – Eugene Debs wan nearly a million votes.
That was just 6% of the votes cast but it was a substantial showing for a socialist candidate.
After WWI membership in the socialist party declined
Socialism never became popular in America because it went against America’s political culture
Democratic Socialism
Most American Socialists today fall under this faction
The ideology behind this movement advocates socialism as a basis for the economy and democracy as a governing principle.

33. Political Ideologies Libertarianism
Is an ideology based on a strong belief in personal freedom.
Conservative on economic issues and liberal on social issues.
Favor Lower Taxes and a free market economy
Oppose bans on abortion and gay marriage.
They want a small government and resist government regulation of any kind.

34. Political Ideologies Environmentalism
An Ideology that is deeply concerned about conversation and protection of the environment.
They Want To…
Reduce Pollution
Preserve National Resources
Support any legislation that helps these problems.

35. Political Ideologies Centrism
Does not have it’s own political party this ideology is concerned with addressing commonsense proposals to address the most difficult issues facing the country.
Consider themselves to be between the beliefs of liberals and conservatives.

36. Exit Slip Directions: Answer these Questions
Which shared political value do you feel is the most important to the American way of life, and why?
Create a visual representation of the U.S. political landscape for each of these ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, libertarianism, environmentalism, and centrism. Follow these steps:
Create a simple illustration to represent the ideology.
Write a short definition or explanation of the ideology.
Rate the ideology on a scale of 1 to 6; 1 meaning you identify closely with this ideology, 6 meaning you do not identify with this ideology.

37. Civil Society
This term refers to voluntary associations and institutions that exist between government and family duties.
Many political scientists agree that a strong civil society is the key to a stable democracy.
The organizations that make up civil society are nourished by civic participation.
This evolvement helps to expand a society’s Social Capital

38. Social Capital
Definition: connections among individuals that are forged through their participation in voluntary associations.
Example: PTA

39. 4 Categories of Civic Engagement
Electoral Specialists
This category includes those whose main engagement is through the election process.
People in this group…
Vote
Volunteer in Campaigns
Try to persuade others to vote.

40. 4 Categories of Civic Engagement
Civic Specialists
People in this group focus on improving their communities and helping others.
People is this group…
Join local civic groups
Support non-profit organizations
Take part in fundraising activities for worthy causes.

41. 4 Categories of Civic Engagement
Dual Activists
This category is made up of people who engage in both electoral and civic activities.
People in this group…
Pass out leaflets in a political campaign
Volunteer in homeless shelters

42. 4 Categories of Civic Engagement
The Disengaged
This group is made up of people who are not significantly engaged in civic life.
People in this group…
Don’t vote
Don’t pay attention to civic affairs.

43. Exit Slip Questions
What is social capital, and do you think it is important? Why or why not?
Of the four categories of civic engagement, which best describes you (or will describe you when you can vote), and why?