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What do you think it means to be a citizen? What do citizens expect from their government?

In return, what should citizens do for their government? Are there benefits to being a citizen? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

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What is Civics?

-Civics -Study of Citizenship and Government

Rights and duties of citizenship


-Citizen 1. Owe loyalty to government
The White House

2. Expect protection from government


3. Accept government authority

-Government: ruling authority for a group of people

The U.S. Capitol Building

The Common Good --The ultimate role of the government is to do the greatest good to the greatest number of people without harming others

How do these two pictures represent the governments role in providing for the common good?

Why We Need Govt? -Make laws Provide security, guide the community

-Keep Order
-Provide Services

-prevent anarchy -the absence of any form of government

Water Treatment Plant

Levels of Government -National President, U.S. Congress, Supreme Court

-State
Governor, General Assembly, State Courts -Local County School board City City council

Democracy
-republics-- rule by the consent of the people
Other people represent you -democracy -direct democracy-a form of government where each citizens has an actual say in the affairs of government Ex: town meeting -representative democracy-a form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them Ex: Student council
Why is democracy a challenge?

Monarchy -monarchy -form of government led by a king or a queen -absolute monarchy King/Queen has all the power -limited monarchy King/Queen shares power with the people
The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, is a limited monarch who must share her power with Englands representative body, the Parliament.

Socialist -socialist Type of government where individuals and government share ownership in major businesses and government takes on a greater role in citizens lives.

Communist -communist Type of government where the government owns and controls all aspects of life for its citizens

Authoritarian -dictatorship-Type of government that is usually controlled by one person who allows very little freedom or opposition -totalitarianism-Form of government where little freedom or opposition is allowed

-oligarchy-Government that is ruled by a small group of people

Religious -theocracy Type of government that is ruled by religious leaders

Pope Benedict XVII rules over the Catholic church and the smallest country in the world, Vatican City.

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