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Introduction to GovernmentUnit One
The purpose?
• To rule a country and its people
Types of Governments
• Autocracy• Controlled by a single individual
• Oligarchy• Small, powerful groups are in control
• Democracy• More people participate in the governing process
and have some influence
Who is in charge?
• Totalitarian Government: those in authority have complete control and unlimited power
• Authoritarian Government: power is limited by a group (may be the military or a religious group)
• Constitutional Government: a framework of written laws limits government officials
DEMOCRACY
• The citizens give their government the authority to rule• Comes from two Greek words: demos (the
people) and kratos (rule or power)
• True or False: The founding fathers didn’t like democracies.• True—they felt no one would be in charge and
a mob mentality would result.
Types of Democracies
Direct• Each citizen has a direct
and equal say in the government
Representative• The people elect certain
individuals to represent their opinions, concerns, and desires• A republic is another
name for a representative democracy
What do we have?
• A Democracy• A Republic• A Representative
Democracy• A Constitutional
Democracy
Our IdealsOur government works because the citizens of our country believe in certain ideals—that is, we have
agreed to live by the following:
• We accept majority rule.• We agree that the rights
of the people who were in the minority must be protected.• We want to be ruled by
laws, not powerful individuals.
• We want freedom of speech—that is, we want to be allowed to question and criticize our elected officials for the purpose of improving our government.• We want our government to
serve the people, not the other way around. We call this popular sovereignty.
Federalism
• The division of political power between the national government and the individual state governments.
WHO IS THE TYPICAL AMERICAN?
The American Identity
• We’ve moved from being a melting pot to being a cultural mosaic
Immigration
• European Americans began travelling to the New World in the 1600s (mostly white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants)• Africans were brought to the colonies as slaves
immediately• Hispanics settled in the South and Southwest in the
1800s• Asian Americans settled the west coast in the 1800s• Exclusion Laws existed between 1882-1952 to keep
them from immigrating
Today’s Population
• We’re a diverse nation with the same goal: enjoying the opportunities afforded to Americans• Our last three censuses showed changes…
1990 Census 2000 Census 2010 Census
Non-white 20% 25% 28%
Hispanic 9% 12% 16%
Largest Minority African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans
THE MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP
Who is a Citizen?
• Anyone born in the United States or in one of its territories (even if the parents aren’t citizens)• At least one of the parents was a citizen at the time of
birth (no matter where the baby was born)• A person who has gone through the process of
becoming a citizen• Any child under 18 whose parent went through this
process
The Naturalization Process
• Step One: Application• Step Two: Examination—must prove the following• Age 18 or older• Legal resident of country for 5 years, state for 3
months• Good moral character• Loyal to the U.S. Constitution• Able to read, write, and speak English• Knowledge of U.S. history and form of government
• Step Three: Final Hearing• Takes oath of loyalty in court
• Naturalized citizens have all the rights and duties of citizens by birth except:
• the right to be President or Vice President
Our Rights as Citizens
What we can do
• To vote and hold office• To say what we think in speech and in writing• To practice our own religion• To have a fair trial• And tons more!
Our Duties as Citizens
What we have to do
• Obey the laws• Defend the nation• Men must register with Selective Service at age 18• May choose to be a conscientious objector
• Serve as a juror or witness in court• Pay taxes• Attend school
Our Responsibilities as Citizens
What we should do
• Work toward the common good• Vote• Hold office• Participate in campaigns• Influence government• Serve the community