1. The Study of Civics and Economics By: Ms. Pickens
Myers Park High School

2. What is Civics?
Civics – the study of rights, duties and responsibilities of citizens of a nation
Citizen – a member of a state or nation who believes in the legitimacy of the state, is entitled to rights granted by the state and owes allegiance to the state by birth, naturalization or socialization.
Nation or State – a group of people who share commonalities that organize power under a government

3. Economics

4. What is Economics? Economics – the study of choices
People seek to satisfy their unlimited needs and wants when resources are limited
Need – something we need to survive; Ex. Food, shelter, air
Want – an item people desire but not essential to survival; Ex. IPods, clothes, cars
Scarcity – limited resources (things people use)

5. Citizenship

6. Citizenship
Citizens of a state must perform duties, should perform responsibilities, and should be granted rights
Duty – an action required by law from a citizen; Ex. Jury duty, obeying the law, paying taxes, selective service duty, compulsory schooling
Responsibility – an action that a citizen should take; Ex. Volunteering, voting, staying informed, service in the military
Right – a “freedom” granted by the government that should not be limited by the government but should be protected by the government and not infringed on by others

7. How become a Citizen?
1. Birth a. By Blood – parents are citizens b. By Soil – born on the recognized territory of the nation-state 2. Naturalization a. Sign a declaration of intention with Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) b. File an application c. Interview d. Pass Citizenship Test e. Pledges an oath of allegiance 3. Socialization a. Taught belief system and culture

8. The
United
States

9. “E Pluribus Unum” Out of many, One We are a nation state
A nation of Citizens, Immigrants, Aliens and Illegal immigrants
Immigrant – people legally admitted as permanent residents
Alien – a foreigner non-citizen who has permission (VISA) to be in the nation
Illegal immigrant – residing in a nation without permission from the government

10. A Melting Pot or A Tossed Salad?
Melting pot – a metaphor used to describe a culture in which diverse groups of people have lost their specific original cultures or identities to a new dominate culture; assimilated into a new culture
Tossed Salad – a metaphor used to describe a culture within a culture where groups of people maintain their unique identities with the larger groups identities

11. Government

12. What is Government?
Government – the ruling authority of a society or community
Government is an institution that possesses power, structure, organization, values, legitimacy, processes and provide functions to its citizens
According to Enlightenment philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, “life without government would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” – WHY?

13. Functions of Government
Keep Order
Pass and enforce laws, establish courts
Provide Services
Schools, libraries, fire and police, unemployment insurance
Provide Security
Prevent crime, protect citizens from foreign attack
Guide the Community
Manage the economy, foreign relations, instill values

14. Foundations of
American Government

15. Foundation Roots Greece 2. Rome Age of Enlightenment
democracy – the power of government rests with the citizens
2. Rome
republic – the power of government rests with representatives who administer the institution
Age of Enlightenment
Philosophers during the 1700s who theorized about government and its responsibilities to its citizens

16. The Government Of
The United States

17. What is the United States?
Cracy = power
Archy = lead by
A democracy?
An infantocracy?
A gerontocracy?
An argentocracy?
An aristocracy?
A foolocracy?
An albocracy?
A meritocracy?
A theocracy?
An oligarchy?
An anarchy?
An aristararchy?
A monarchy?
A Corpoarchy?
A diaboloarchy?
A kleptoarchy?
A autoarchy?
A republic?

18. Levels of Government
Federal/National - Government of United States
State - Government of North Carolina
Local Government – Matthews/Charlotte/Mint Hill
Federalism – the principle of one central government and several state or local governments