Studied by 2 peopleCivics
The relationship between the people and the government
National Level
highest level in the US
In D.C
Makes and enforces laws for the entire country
State Level
makes and enforces laws for the people of their states
Local Level
makes laws for the people in their country, city, or town
What 2 ways can government be catagorized?
powerless people (authoritarian, totalitarian, autocracies)
Power to the people (popular soverignty)
What are the two types of democracy?
Direct (people vote firsthand on ALL issues)
Representative (people elect individuals to vote on issues *i.e. US Congress)
Republic
representative government in which no leaders inherit office
government officials are elected or appointed
What are the four types of Autocracy?
Monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Limited/Constitutional Monarchy
Divine Right
Monarchy
government with a hereditary ruler (handed down by birth)
Absolute Monarchy
a monarch had total and unlimited power (Saudi Arabia)
Limited Constitutional Monarchy
a monarch that has limited power shared with elective representatives
Great Britian
Divine Right
The idea that monarchs felt they derived their power to rule from God
Parliamentary System
both executive (law enforcement) and legislative (law makers) functions reside in an elected assembly
Legislature is called a Parliament and the head of the gov is called the Prime Minister
Dictatorship
exercise complete control over the state and usually take power by force
Vladimir Putin & Kim Jong Un
Totalitarianism
government control extends to almost all aspects of people's lives
Ban all political opposition
regulate economy
take away individual freedoms
China, N. Korea, Uzbekistan, Belarus
Oligarchy
The power resides with a small group of people based on military power, social status, or wealth
Hereditary rule
Current and Former:
Asia: China, N. Korea
Europe: G.B., Russia
Africa: South Africa
North America: Cuba
Theocracy
religious officials rule by religious law
Iran: Grand Ayatollah and Sharia Law
Vatican City: Catholic Church and Pope
Amarchy
chaos, no laws or justice system, no economic stability
Socialism
the means of production should be owned and controlled by society, either directly or through the gov
Feel that wealth should be distributed equally among all citizens in a nation
Karl Marx encouraged violent revolution to end the separation of social classes
Communism
one class would evolve, property would be held in common, and there would be no need for gov
DOES NOT WORK (gov usually takes control of means of production)
Individuals cannot own their own land/business
Power maintained by military
China, Cuba, Laos, N. Korea, and Vietnam
Attitudes that shape political bagavior
Individualism
Equal opportunity
Free Enterprise
Rule of Law
Individualsim
belief in the fundamental worth and importance of the individual
rooted in the Enlightenment Philosophy
Encourages people to pursue their own best interest
Equality of oppurtunity
Emphasizes the equal rights of all people to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Still argued whether everyone has equal access to equal oppurtunity
Free Enterprise
the role of the gov in the economy
Gov should take a laissez faire approach and an invisible hand guided by the interaction of producers and consumers (Adam Smith *The Wealth of Nations)
However, gov involvement has increased in the marketplace
Rule of Law
the principle the gov established that laws of the nation apply equally to all members of society and prevents the rule and whims of leaders who feel above the law
ensures stability and certainty
Resposibilities
Thing we should do' they are obligations we fulfill voluntarily
Duties
Thing that we must do
Legal Duties
obey laws
pay taxes
defend the nation (Men 18-25 are required to register for the draft)
Serve in court
Attend school till at least 16
Civic Responsibilities
be informed of current events
vote
participate in community events
respect other's property, rights, and diversity
contribute to the common good
Privileges of Citizens
security
liberty
equality
Security Rights
protect us from a gov getting too strong
Article I denies certain powers to Congress
The Bill of Rights contains many limitations on gov powers
Liberty Rights
The gov protects our freedoms
1st Amnd: speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition
Certain rights are given to accused person to protect your personal liberty unless proven guilty
right to an attorney, right to trial by jury
Equality Rights
Requires that all persons are treated the same
14th Amnd is primary example because it requires all person to be given due process and equal protection
What are the two ways to become a citizen?
Native born and Naturalized
Native Born
If you are born anywhere in the US
If one or both of your parents are US citizens
Possible t have dual citizenship at birth
Naturalized
immigrants who move to the US seeking to become citizens
Naturalization Process
Declaration of Intent - you must file and official form declaring your intentions to become a US citizen
Application
Preliminary Hearing - background check (must have lived in US for 5 years and be 18 years old)
Examination
Final Hearing - Swear an Oath of Allegiance to the US
Aliens
Non citizens who live in the US
USCIS
US Citizenship and Immigration Services, gov agency
Legal Aliens
Aliens who legally enter the US to work or visit
Note
Flashcard