1. Unit One Chapter One – Civics Today
US Government
Unit One
Chapter One – Civics Today

2. What is Civics?
Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens.

3. The Need for Government
What is a government?
A government is the ruling authority of a community.
A government has the power to make and enforce laws for its members or citizens.

4. The Need for Government
Thomas Hobbs claimed that without government, people would compete for territory, resources, and power. Fighting, then, would be common place, and survival would depend on both strength and cunning.
Government, therefore, can make it possible for people to live together peacefully and productively.

5. What are some key functions of government?
1. Governments help to keep order and provide security
They make laws to help prevent conflicts among people and to settle conflicts that do arise
They set up armed forces and agencies to defend citizens and their land from enemies
2. They provide services that would not be available without cooperation and coordination
To keep the public healthy and safe, and help the needy

6. What are some key functions of government?
3. They guide the community by:
Setting public policy
A course of government action to achieve community goals
Formulating budgets
A plan for collecting and spending money
Developing relations with the community’s neighbors and other outsiders

7. Levels of Government
What are the levels of government in the US, from the broadest to the narrowest?
The National (Federal) Government
Has authority over the next two
The State Governments
Has authority over Local
Must submit to Federal
The Local Governments
Must submit to both State and Federal

8. Government in the US
The United States has a type of government that is known as a democracy.
This type of government rests the power in the hands of the people, not a single ruler, or even a group of rulers.
The word “democracy” comes from the Greek words:
Demos = people
Kratein = to rule
Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy

9. Government in the US The United States is not a direct democracy
Meaning that, unlike ancient Athens, all citizens do not meet and debate government matters and vote firsthand
Citizens in the U.S. choose a smaller group to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf
This is known as a representative democracy

10. Government in the US Democracies have free and open elections
Everyone’s vote carries the same weight
One person, one vote
All candidates have the right to express their views freely
Legal requirements for voting are kept to a minimum
Citizens may vote freely by secret ballot, without fear of punishment

11. 5 Fundamental Principles of American Democracy
Rule of Law
All people are bound by law
Limited Government
The government may do only what the people give it power to do
Consent of the Governed
Citizens are the source of government power
And that, by voting

12. 5 Fundamental Principles of American Democracy
The people rule
5. Representative Government
People elect their leaders

13. America’s Citizens
The US Constitution (The Supreme Law of the Land in the United States), establishes two ways to become a citizen:
By birth
A process called naturalization (for foreigners)

14. America’s Citizens You would automatically be a citizen if:
You were born in a state, D.C., in an American territory, or on a US military base overseas
A child born abroad to American parents may hold dual citizenship
Children born on US soil to non-US citizens can acquire citizenship (except foreign diplomats).
American citizens hold their citizenship for life, unless they choose to give it up.

15. America’s Citizens Naturalization Process
Noncitizens (aliens) may become naturalized citizens
They may apply for citizenship after living in the U.S. for 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
Then they will have an interview with and INS agent (Immigration and Naturalization Service)
Then they can take the citizenship exam
If the INS decides to grant citizenship, the new citizen pledges allegiance to this country in a ceremony
The U.S. restricts the number of immigrants who can enter the country. Preference goes to relatives of U.S. citizens and people with needed skills

16. America’s Citizens
Every U.S. citizen today is a product of immigration
Today, Latin America accounts for the largest share of newcomers, followed by Asia
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group

17. America’s Citizens Americans are ethnically diverse
65% - Non-Hispanic Whites
16% - Hispanic
13% - African American
5% - Asian
1-2% - Native American
American culture is a rich blend of various influences