1. Civic Participation in a Democracy
Chapter 7
Essential Question: How can you make a difference in a democracy?

2. Citizenship Historically, it was a bit unclear, especially for slaves.
Amendment XIV (14) said…
“all persons born or naturalized in the United States…” are citizens
states can’t discriminate against citizens or remove rights
For about 100 years, this was largely ignored in the South.
Civil Rights Act (1964) sought to change this.
Banned discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin.
Made enforcement a goal of U.S. government.

3. Civic Rights Includes rights listed in Bill of Rights.
Legal U.S. residents have these rights too.
U.S. citizens have more rights.
Right to vote
To hold public office
Claim social & economic benefits (e.g., welfare)
Hold federal gov’t jobs

4. Responsibilities Everyone in the U.S. must… Obey laws Pay taxes
Males, 18+, must register for military service
U.S. citizens…
Should be informed & participate in public affairs (most basic— vote)
Not required, but participation is ideal

5. Naturalization
See video on uscis.gov website at materials-civics-test/becoming-us-citizen-overview-naturalization- process
Also, take the uscis.gov practice test at

6. Political culture in the U.S. (what we agree on)
Political culture = shared values, beliefs, attitudes on politics & gov’t
Things in common…
Liberty – We like max liberty as long as it harms no one else
Equality – We love equality of opportunity (vote, education, job, pursue happiness). Note: this is NOT equality of outcome.
Democracy – We feel power comes from the people, not top-down.
Individualism – Personal freedom and responsibility matters. Do your thing, but own up to it as well.

7. continued
Free enterprise – Freedom to do your thing in business (your job, how you spend $, without gov’t bossing you). Also means some win, some lose.
Justice & rule-of-law – We want laws that are enforced and done so fairly.
Patriotism – We love our country, are proud of it, fly the flag, etc.
Civic duty – We must do our part in our democracy. (vote, serve)
Optimism – We believe we can do things & our best days are coming. Amer-I-can!

8. Liberals vs. Conservatives (where we disagree)
Liberals – like the gov’t to be active in people’s lives
They’re “on the left”
Liberals are Democrats
Say gov’t should:
Regulate business
Reduce economic inequality
Protect the environment
Provide health care
Abortion is okay

9. Cont. Conservatives – like the gov’t to stay out of people’s lives
They’re “on the right”
Conservatives are Republican
Say gov’t should:
Leave biz & people alone
Reduce gov’t size, debt
Lower taxes & spend less
Abortion is not okay

10. Criticism 101 Liberals say of conservatives:
You let some rich and powerful get richer while others stay poor. You don’t care about real people.
Conservatives say of liberals:
You take tax $ from people who work and give it to those who don’t. You reward laziness.

11. Other ideologies
Socialism – sliding from capitalism (our free enterprise economic system) toward communism (where gov’t owns/runs everything)
Further left than liberals/Democrats
Libertarianism – just leave me the ___ alone. Give me liberty, or give me death!
Environmentalism – focused mostly on the environment. Save the baby polar bears! And the spotted flea too!