Civics and Economics

What Is Civics? Civics – study of

citizenship and gov’t

Citizen – a member of a nation who owes allegiance to its gov’t and is protected by it

Why Do We Need Government?

Four reasons:• Make laws (What purpose do laws serve?)• Keep order • Provide services (What services?)• Prevent anarchy (Why is anarchy a

problem?)

Who are American Citizens?

14th amendment states; anyone born or naturalized in the US.

Diversity in America We are a nation

of immigrants• EXP: E pluribus unum: out of many oneOn the back of all American coins

Two ways to become a US Citizen

1. By Birth• Born in any 50

states• Born on any

American Territory (Guam, Puerto Rico or oversees base)

• 1 or both parents are citizens

• Children born on American soil except for foreign diplomats

2. Naturalization Process: Legal Process

• Aliens: non citizens who live in USA to work but leave and return to home country

• Immigrants: people who move here permanently

1. Sign Declaration of Intention form

2. Live in US 5 yrs. or 3 if married

3. Interview with US CIS Agent4. Take citizenship exam5. Attend a ceremony, say

oath of allegiance

Extras How long does your

citizenship last?• Forever or unless you

voluntarily give it up Who grants

citizenship?• Federal gov’t

If illegal aliens are caught what happens to them?• Deported: sent back to

own country

What are the responsibilities of an American citizen?

Responsibility: things we should do• Be informed• Speak up and vote• Respect others rights• Respect diversity

Have tolerance: respect and accept others beliefs, practices and differences

• Contribute to the common good

What are the duties of an American citizen?

Duty: things we must do• Obey laws• Pay taxes• Serve in court (jury

duty)• Attend school (until at

least 16 years old)• Defend the nation

Men from ages 18-25 must register with the federal gov’t Called the Selective Service

Act

Volunteering Volunteerism: the

practice of offering your time to others without pay

Community: group of people who share the same interests or concerns

Examples of National Programs

Peace Corps• Est. 1961• Go to other countries and help over 135

Ameri Corps:• Work in USA through local and national organizations• EXP: Red Cross• If you work with them for 1 year they help pay for college

Job Corp• no-cost education and vocational training program

administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 get a better job, make more money, and take control of their lives.

COULD YOU PASS THE CITIZENSHIP

EXAM???

Levels of Government

1. National2. State3. Local

• County• City

Kinds of Government Democracy – rule by the people

• Direct democracy – system in which people vote on all decisions

Republic – system in which people choose representatives to make decisions for them (also known as representative democracy)

Monarchy – system in which the right to rule is passed down through a family (king or queen)

Kinds of Government Dictatorship – rule by a single individual Totalitarianism – system in which the

government has complete authority over every aspect of the people’s lives

Oligarchy – system in which a small minority has authority

Theocracy – system in which religious beliefs have the power of law

Anarchy – system in which no form of government exists…chaos!