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Civics in Our Lives. Mr. Morris Civics & Economics. Key Vocabulary. Civics Citizen Government Values. Why Study Civics?. Civics is the study of citizenship and government. It is the study of what it means to be a citizen A citizen is a legally recognized member of a country
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Civics in Our Lives Mr. Morris Civics & Economics
Key Vocabulary • Civics • Citizen • Government • Values
Why Study Civics? • Civics is the study of citizenship and government. It is the study of what it means to be a citizen • A citizen is a legally recognized member of a country • Would someone visiting the United States from Europe be considered a US citizen?
Being a Citizen • The Romans used the term citizen to differentiate between people who lived in the city and those they had conquered. • Only men could be citizens in Rome • Citizens in Rome could vote and had a say in how the country was run • Roman citizens also had duties, such as paying taxes, attending assemblies, and serving in the army.
Citizens Today • Today, citizenship differs depending on the country you are in. • Some countries still do not allow their citizens to vote. • Women are now accepted as citizens • Most countries still require taxes • In Israel, everyone must serve in the military, men and women.
Government • The rights and duties of a citizen is different depending on the country’s type of government. • Government is the organizations, institutions, and individuals who exercise political authority over a group of people
Being an American Citizen • Under our system of government, citizens have many rights and responsibilities • American citizens must be productive and active members of society. • Examples: belonging to a family, going to school, working with others, being active in local community.
American Citizens • To be an effective American citizen, you must fulfill your duties and responsibilities as a member of you country, state, and community. • How can you fulfill some of these duties?
American Citizens • While being a citizen has great benefits, it also has costs • To be on a jury or volunteer in the community, you must take time out of your day or job • Also, running for public office such as mayor, senator, or president takes time and money out of the day.
Rights of Citizens • Citizens are guaranteed the right to vote • Citizens are allowed to live in the U.S. permanently. • Citizens have access to more jobs than those who have not achieved citizenship • Government jobs • Banks
American Values • America has been a great inspiration to other nations • American citizenship is based on three basic values that provide the foundation for many of our rights and freedoms: • Equality • Liberty • Justice
Equality • Each citizen has the same right to enjoy the benefits granted to all American citizens • Everyone is entitled to the right to seek an education or choose a job or career • Through equal opportunity laws, any citizen qualified for a job has equal opportunity to secure it, no matter their race, gender, or religious preference.
Liberty • Liberty is the freedom to do what we please so long as it does not interfere with the safety or liberty of others • Without liberty, we would not enjoy many of the freedoms that we as Americans are accustomed to • We all have freedom to get an education, have the job that we want, speak freely, and practice our religions, to name a few.
Justice • Police prevent others from violating our rights as citizens, but if those rights are threatened, the United States government has given the courts the power to punish whoever is responsible. • Your rights and freedoms cannot be taken from you, but you must be willing to do your part to protect these rights. • This is also called your “civic duty”
Qualities of a Good Citizen • All citizens must participate in the United States in order for our government to function properly. • You need to exercise your “civic duty”
Voting in Elections • Voters can elect those who go to represent them at the town, state, and national levels. • If a candidate does not do what they promise, they can be voted out in the next elections. • This is one way that Americans are allowed to govern themselves
Express Your Opinion • As a United States citizen, you should tell elected officials or those who work for them, what you need or if you disagree with something that the government has done. • All public officials are working for YOU, so they should lend an ear to you and any problems you have.
Effective Citizens • Are responsible family members • Respect and obey the law • Respect the rights and property of others • Are loyal to and proud of their country • Take part in and improve life in their communities • Take an active part in their government • Use natural resources wisely • Are informed on key issues and willing to take a stand on these issues • Believe in equal opportunity for all people • Respect individual differences, points of view, and ways of life that are different from their own.