Civics 101
Citizenship
- Civics Basics
- Civics = the study of the rights and duties of citizens
- Citizens = members of a community who have certain rights and duties under a government and are entitled to the protection of that government
- Democracy = rule by the people (directly or through representatives)
- Key democratic principles: consent of the governed, free and fair elections, inclusive suffrage, freedom of expression, access to information, majority rule, respect for the minority, rule of law, limited government
- Citizenship
- Citizens belong to a nation and have certain rights including the right to take part in government
- 14th Amendment says a U.S. citizen is anyone “born or naturalized in the United States” and all citizens get “equal protection of the laws”
- Two ways to become a U.S. citizen
- Natural-born (born a citizen)
- Anyone born in a U.S. state, DC, territory, military base
- Anyone born in another country whose parents are both U.S. citizens or if one parent is a citizen and has lived in the U.S.
- Naturalized (legally obtained citizenship)
- Requirements:
- 18+ years old (children automatically become citizens when their parents do)
- Lawful permanent resident for 5+ years
- Read, write, and speak English
- Good moral character
- Show understanding of U.S. civics (citizenship test)
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services manages citizenship applications
- Potential citizens apply, take the test, swear a loyalty oath, sign a document
- Requirements:
- Natural-born (born a citizen)
- Losing citizenship (3 ways)
- Expatriation = giving allegiance to another country
- Denaturalization = naturalized citizens who lie on their citizenship application lose their citizenship
- Conviction of specific crimes = treason, taking part in a rebellion, trying to violently overthrow the government
- Citizens belong to a nation and have certain rights including the right to take part in government
- Duties and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
- Duties = actions citizens must do (5 examples)
- Obey laws
- Pay taxes
- Taxes fund police, schools, firefighters, military, roads, government employees, and much more
- Defend the nation
- The Selective Service System requires male citizens aged 18 – 25 to register for a potential draft (military service)
- Serve in court
- Serve on a jury
- Act as a witness when called
- Attend school
- Public school, private school, or homeschool
- Education is essential in a democracy
- Thomas Jefferson said: “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”
- Responsibilities = actions citizens should do (4 examples)
- Be informed
- Pay attention to government actions, social problems, foreign affairs
- Be active
- Vote, advocate, organize, volunteer
- Contribute to the common good
- Spend time, money, energy to improve the community
- Respect the rights of others
- Be informed
- Duties = actions citizens must do (5 examples)
- The Purpose of Government
- Keep order
- Laws prevent conflicts, provide solutions
- Police prevent and investigate crimes, courts provide justice
- Provide services
- Schools, libraries, parks, hospitals, mail, water, roads, bridges, garbage collection, fire/police departments, welfare programs
- Manage foreign affairs
- Diplomatic relations with other societies
- Military protection from other societies
- Guide the community
- Public policies establish goals and plans
- Use of resources, environmental policies, zoning regulations
- Public policies establish goals and plans
- Keep order
- Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- Civil liberties = rights protected from unjust government action
- In the U.S., rights are specified in the Constitution, laws, and court decisions
- Ex: freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, religion
- Limits: the rights of one citizen must be balanced against the rights of another
- Ex: noise ordinances (limit speech), rally/protest permits (limit assembly), slander/libel laws (limit speech),
- In the U.S., rights are specified in the Constitution, laws, and court decisions
- Civil rights = rights to freedom and equality (politically and socially)
- All citizens have the same rights
- Ex: if some students have the right to free public schooling, all students are entitled to that right
- All citizens have the same rights
- Videos: U.S. Constitution and U.S. Bill of Rights
- Civil liberties = rights protected from unjust government action