1. Civics Chapter 1: What is Civics?
Section 1: “Government of the People, by the People, for the People”

2. Civics: the study of citizenship and government
What does it mean to be an American citizen?

3. I. The Purposes of Government
Government: The power or authority that rules a country
*Why do we need government?
*What would society be like without government?

4. What does government do?
*Provides laws
*Makes sure people obey laws
*Set up armed forces, police services, fire departments
*Provide services

5. II. Levels of Government
National Government
*Government for the entire nation
*Provides the basic framework for citizenship
2. State and local governments

6. III. Dictatorship and Democracy
Dictatorship: A government in which one person or a small group of people controls the government
Democracy: Government in which the citizens hold the power to rule and to make laws

7. IV. Two Kinds of Democracy
Direct Democracy
*A true democracy
*Every citizen participates directly
*New England Town Hall

8. Representative Democracy
*The citizen’s representatives carry on the work of government
*People elect representatives to act on their behalf

9. V. How Citizens Influence Government
*Elections
*Joining Political Parties
*Holding Public Office