1. Foundations of Government
Chapter 1 Section 1 Notes

2. What is Civics? What is a citizen? A legal member of a country
The study of the rights and duties of citizens and their governments!
What is a citizen?
A legal member of a country

3. Direct Democracy- people make all of the decisions
Types of Government
Direct Democracy- people make all of the decisions
Representative Democracy- citizens choose a smaller group of people to govern them.

4. Jobs of the Government
Keep Order – The government makes laws and enforces laws to help settle conflict.
Protect citizens
Guide the community
Provides services – Government provides water, sewage treatment, garbage services, Fire Dept, and street maintenance to citizens and funds these programs through taxes.

5. Where was Democracy born?
Athens, Greece
Athens used direct
Democracy. Every citizen
had a voice and a vote.
Citizens were involved in all
decisions. However, all
people were not
considered citizens. Only men
who owned property were
citizens.

6. Principles of Democracy
Rule of Law – All people even rulers must obey the law.
Limited Government – The government only has as much power as the people give it.
Consent of the Governed – American citizens give the government power.
Individual Rights – People have rights that are protected by the government.
Representative Government – People elect leaders to make governmental decisions.

7. American Government
“Of the People”- the power of the government comes from the people.
“By the People”- American citizens are elected to run the government.
“For the People”- The government helps Americans to have a safer and better life.