1. Civic Action, Participation, & Responsibility + Conflict Resolution
Goal

2. Goal 4.04 What are the characteristics of an active citizen?
How can lobbyists influence government?
Should violence ever be used to force change in government?

3. 4.04 Getting the Idea:
Government for and by the people –democracy- requires citizen participation in political life.
People who lack interest and involvement in politics are apathetic. (apathy)
Democracy assumes that individuals and society are always improvable.

4. Voting –the people’s chief means to change society.
Mechanisms for change:
Voting –the people’s chief means to change society.
Petition –getting enough people to sign a petition, citizens may put an issue on the ballot to be decided.

5. Protest –demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience
Methods of Dissent
Protest –demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience
Brings an issue to people’s attention and tries to create a movement for change.

6. having a preference to one particular point of view
Bias
having a preference to one particular point of view

8. Spoken lies made up with intent to
The law recognizes that in a democracy, a person has the right to have his or her life and reputation represented correctly.
Slander
Spoken lies made up with intent to
harm
Libel
Printed/Written
lies to defame a person’s character and reputation.

10. Laws: 4.05 Getting the Idea:
The Constitution creates a relationship between the people and the laws.
Laws protect everyone equally.
14th Amendment
Members of society are obligated to follow the law and are subject to punishment when they do not.
Social Contract Theory  John Locke

11. Criminal Law Civil Law “Penal Law”
Punishes criminals for committing offenses against the state.
Murder, theft, and drug trafficking
Regulates relationships between persons and organizations.
Violations are between persons rather than crimes against state.
Resolves such matters as accidents, breach of contract, libel, property damage, and money owed.

13. Mandatory Sentencing:
Fine:
Money paid as punishment for minor crimes or as the settlement of a claim
Mandatory Sentencing:
A judicial decision setting the minimum punishment for a person convicted of a crime where judge has no choice.

14. Goal 4.06-4.07 Civic Participation
Getting the Idea:
Society and government serve citizens –but in a democracy, citizens also serve society and government.
Political power rests with actions of the citizens.
Popular Sovereignty = the people rule

15. Responsibilities & Duties of Citizenship
Citizens are bound together by basic political values and principles.
Members are expected to follow the social contract –an agreement between citizen and their gov’t in which citizens relinquish a portion of their liberty in return for security and set of rights and responsibilities.

16. Participation in Political Process
Informed Electorate
Have necessary info to make sound decisions on public issues.
Voting
How the governed give or withhold their consent.
Voting is essential to a democracy.
Citizen Activism
Get involved
Grassroots at local levels

17. Participation in Judicial Process
Jury Duty
Constitution provides for trial by jury
Witness in trial
Knowledge of law and how legal system operates.
Sit in on trials to make sure courts are functioning properly

18. Civic Virtue
Patriotism =love of and support for one’s country (loyalty)
Military
Public Service
Holding Government position
Community volunteering

19. Public Service Opportunities
Volunteerism
Give time freely & acquire real-world experience
Federal Public Service:
AmeriCorps
National service programs to meet social needs in education, health, public safety, the environment, and more.
Peace Corps
JFK established
U.S. citizens spend two years in foreign country helping with basic needs such as schooling and health care.
Senior Corps
Network of programs that tap experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges.

20. Civic Responsibility ~Goal 4.08~
Getting the Idea:
In order for our government to work, we rely on an informed, involved citizenry.
People have rights, but they come with responsibilities, or actions they should do.
Freedoms also come with duties, which are actions citizens must do.

21. Legal vs. Moral Responsibilities:
Obey the laws, and you have fulfilled your basic legal obligation.
Moral requires people to follow ethical principles –consider common good above self-interest.

22. Conflict & Resolution
Getting the idea:
Public issues and problems affect society as a whole.
How to best meet the nation’s education needs is a public issue.
Both government and individuals have the responsibility to deal with public issues and problems.

23. Public Issues & Problems
During slow economic times, unemployment (joblessness) and underemployment (working in jobs in which one is overqualified) rises.
Poverty –an economically substandard existence because of insufficient income or resources to meet needs.
Baby boomers –people born after WWII, increases Social Security.
Homelessness
Natural Disasters
New Immigration
Causes new diseases brought into country, may aggravate continuing problem of racism and discrimination.
Environmental Problems
Waste disposal, greenhouse effect, acid rain, pollution
Political Corruption
Using political office & power for illegal gain

24. APATHY A lack of interest/motivation in civic and political life.
Contradicts the principles in democracy
Why low voter turn-out?
Don’t care!!
Don’t think their vote matters!!
Pure laziness
Not educated about issues

28. Talking to reach a compromise.
Resolving Conflicts
Legal Action
Citizens can go to small claims court to handle civil cases (less than $5,000)
Pre-hearing Settlement is when parties in a civil dispute reach an agreement and avoid trial.
Compromise
Working out problems to find mutually satisfactory solutions:
Negotiation
Talking to reach a compromise.

29. The Law of Arbitration for the Quarreling Giants
When problem is resolved for you by a third party.
Ex. Labor disputes
The Law of Arbitration for the Quarreling Giants

30. Mediation:
When you are able to resolve issues with other party on your own with third party present.
Ex. Private disputes –divorce