Civics277-296Civics

277-296

Lesson ObjectivesLesson Objectives• Define civics• Explain the 4 functions of government• Describe the different levels of government

What is civics?What is civics?

Civics—study of rights & duties of citizens

Citizens—owe loyalty to their government & receive its protection

Citizens follow a set of rules & accept the government's authority.

Citizen's legal duties• Obeying laws • Paying taxes• Defending the nation• Serving in court • Attending school

Citizen's civic responsibilities• Being informed about what

the government is doing • Voting• Respecting the rights of

others• Respecting public & private

property• Respecting the practices and

traditions of others• Contributing to the common

good

5

Functions of governmentFunctions of government

ID a current event that supports or questions one of these functions

Governmentruling authorityfor a community

This organization is the ruling authority for a community with the power to make and enforce laws

This organization is the ruling authority for a community with the power to make and enforce laws

A. Government

B. Representative democracy

C. Public

D. Political Party

6

Levels of governmentLevels of government• National

• State

• Local

No lower level can go against the laws & authority of the national government.Who are you local government leaders? What are issues are they working on

Who is this?Who is this?• A. Mayor of Lansdale

• B. Governor of PA

Foundations of United States Citizenship

Lesson 2, Chapter 6, Civics 8

Dictatorship—control by one person or a small group of people (Cuba)

Direct democracy —all the citizens vote firsthand (ancient Athens)

Representative democracy —citizens choose a smaller group to govern but are the source of the government's authority (United States)

U.S. citizens elect presidents and members of Congress but express their opinions by contacting their representatives.

Democracy—rule by the people (United States)

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Ab’s definition of democracy: