Why is the study of government important?

1. Why is the study of government important?

2. We all have opinions on everything….. • What are your opinions on the following: • Gun laws • Federally funded /mandated health care • Prayer in school • Welfare • Gay marriage • Abortion • Federally funded college education

3. So, yes, we can all have opinions on issues. But what does this have to do with understanding how government works or functions?

4. Write down and explain the meaning of one of these quotes: “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”--John F. Kennedy “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.”--Daniel Patrick Moynihan “Opinion is the exercise of the human will which helps us to make a decision without information.” --John Erskine

5. What’s the difference between an informed and uninformed opinion? Which is easier to argue against? Has someone ever successfully changed your opinion about a subject? How?

6. This is one of the more important classes you’ll take in high school! Why? "No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline." 
--Kofi Annan

7. Politics & Government does affect you! “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”—Thomas Jefferson “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”—Pericles, 430 BC

8. In this 21st century age of information…. We need to be able to effectively share our opinions. But we must be educated about the topics. The purpose of this class is to teach you HOW government works and WHY your involvement matters.

9. If we fail to teach you this, here is the consequence: “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill What does that mean?

10. And yet: “ It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.” --Winston Churchill What does THIS mean?

11. The purpose of this class: Teach you about the various forms of government in the world, with a particular focus on understanding our own. To help you understand what it means to be a “citizen” of a state & nation. To learn about the politics, or process, involved in government and how the making of POLICY affects us all.

12. UNIT #1 ESSENTIAL QUESTION: • How do people around the world form governments to • Establish order • Provide security • & accomplish common goals?

13. What isPUBLIC POLICY? THIS IS A TERM THAT WE WILL REFER TO OFTEN IN THIS CLASS.

14. PUBLIC POLICY • WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES OR DOES NOT DO TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE OR PROBLEM (think about the list of issues we just gave our opinions on) • Policy might take the form of a law or regulation • Policy is directed toward a goal or desired solution • Policymaking is part of an ongoing process; it's often revisited or revised

15. PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES: TAXATION DEFENSE EDUCATION CRIME HEALTHCARE TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT CIVIL RIGHTS WORKING CONDITIONS