According to the document, without government there would be chaos and conflict as Thomas Hobbes argued. The document then provides information about the definition and functions of government, including keeping order, passing laws, providing services, and providing security. It discusses the philosophical foundations of the US government based on ideas from John Locke, Montesquieu, and social contract theory. Finally, it summarizes that the US has a representative democracy with power separated among different levels of federal, state, and local government.

1. What would our world be like without government?Thomas Hobbes said life without government would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” According to Hobbes, humans naturally compete for territory, resources and power. If this is true, and if there are no laws… what would result?Goal 10C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

2. Government– the ruling authority of a community, an organization that has the power to make and enforce laws. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

3. Functions of GovernmentKeep OrderPass and enforce laws, Establish courtsProvide servicesSchools, libraries, hospitals, parks, water, fire/police departmentsProvide security Prevent crime, protect citizens from foreign attackGuide the communityManage the economy, foreign relationsC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

4. Foundations of American GovernmentThe ideas of John Locke – English philosopher, wrote Second Treatise of GovernmentMain purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rightsNatural Rights: right you have because you are human LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTYNo Absolute Power for KingsState of Nature – situation without laws and governmentSocial Contract Theory = solution to a state of naturePeople agree to give up some freedom and create a government to rule in exchange for protection and security. In this agreement people consent to obey the laws created by the government. (“the consent of the governed”)C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

5. Foundations of American Government:republicanism (little “r”) –example RomeRepublic – the people’s representatives administer the government, allowing it to be extended over a much larger area. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

6. Foundations of American Government:democracy (little “d”) – example Greecedemocracy – the authority of government rests with the people. US is a representative democracy – citizens choose a smaller group of people to represent themUS is not a direct democracy – citizens vote on each issue proposed to the government. Direct Democracies work in very small communities. (ex. New England town mtgs.)C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

7. Foundations of American Government:Montesquieu – a French philosopherPowers of Gov’t should be separatedPower should be balancedEach branch should check the others to ensure no one branch is too powerfulC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

8. THE UNITED STATES HAS A Representative DemocracyC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

9. US Levels of Government** FEDERALISM – the principle of one central government and several state or local governments.C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

10. WHAT IS CIVICS?Civics – the study of rights and duties of citizensC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

11. Why bother?Some ideas: jury dutyvotingmaking and economic investmentwant to change the governmentyou have been discriminated againstpay taxesif you break the law / go to jailWhat is the benefit of being informed of our political and economic systems?C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

12. What is a citizen?Citizen – a member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to it by birth or naturalization and is entitled to full civil rights.C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

13. Citizens have duties and responsibilities.What’s the difference?Duty – an action required by lawEx. jury duty, going to school, obeying the law, paying taxesResponsibility– an action that a citizen should takeEx. community service, voting, service in the military, displaying patriotismC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

14. CitizenshipOne can become a citizen by Birth (natural born citizen)Citizen by blood – parents are US CitizensCitizen by soil – born on US soil but your parents are not US citizens. (this does not apply to children of diplomats) Becoming a US citizen (naturalized citizen)Immigrant signs a declaration of intention that is filed with the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) (Note: the CIS was once called the INS – Immigration and Naturalization Services)One may file an application for citizenship, after living in the US for 5 years (if you are married to a US Citizen, 3 years), living in your state for 3 months, and reaching the age of 18 yrs.. Applicant meets with a CIS official for an interview– official is looking for good moral characterApplicant must pass a citizenship test. Applicant pledges oath of allegiance to the USC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

15. What about their children?If applicant has children under the age of 18, they automatically become citizens. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

16. Is everyone who applies granted citizenship?Millions apply for citizenship each year but only about 675,000 are accepted each year. Relatives and people with needed job skills have priority in receiving citizenship. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

17. “E Pluribus Unum” – out of many, oneWe are a nation of immigrantsImmigrant– people legally admitted as permanent residents of a country. Illegal Immigrants – or “undocumented” are those residing in the US without permission from the government. Alien – non-citizenC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

18. Is the US as a “Melting Pot” or a “Salad Bowl”?Melting Potthis metaphor is used to describe a culture in which groups of people have lost their specific identities (in other words they have assimilated into the dominate culture)Salad Bowl this metaphor is used to describe a culture in which groups maintain their unique identities within the larger group. C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

19. CITIZENSHIPWhat does that really mean?C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

20. Citizen: an official member of a countryIf you are born in the US, you are automatically a US citizen!(unless your parents are official representatives of another country)If both your parents are US citizens at the time of your birth, you are a US citizen no matter where you are born!If one of your parents is a US citizen, and the other parent is a citizen of another country, you have dual citizenship. These situations are individually handled.C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

21. Aliens: non-citizensIllegal: either did not apply or were denied and stayed (aka undocumented immigrants)Estimated 10 million in the USIt’s illegal to hire or house illegal aliensIf caught, illegal aliens are deportedLegal:Hold jobs, own property, go to school, travel, pay taxes, obey lawsCannot vote, run for office, or work for the governmentMust carry ID at ALL timesC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

22. Immigrants: permanent aliensMillions apply, only thousands are acceptedHaving relatives, talents, job skills, or money to invest increases chances of being acceptedThere have been several “waves” of immigration in US historyC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

23. Naturalization: the process of becoming a citizen1stStep: file a Declaration of Intention2nd Step: (about a 5-year wait after step one) File an application with Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS)3rd Step: if application is approved, you interview with an examiner (you’ll be asked questions about history, gov’t, and why you want to be a citizen)4th Step: Oath of Loyalty (if you have children under the age of 18, they too become citizens)C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

24. Is it permanent?Ways to Lose Your US Citizenship:If you become a citizen of another countryYou threaten to overthrow the gov’tYou serve in the military of another countryC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

25. Citizenship: Duties and ResponsibilitiesC. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

26. Duties: required to doObey the lawsPay taxesDefend the nation (men, 18 and older if drafted)Serve in court (juror, witness)Attend school (in an attempt to make you an informed citizen)C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com

27. Responsibilities: should doBe informedVoteParticipate in government (volunteer firemen, coaches, community organizations)Respect others physically, property, diversity (tolerance)C. Sharbutt NC Civics and Economics www.sharbsclass.com