Bell Ringer

1. What interesting details do you see? What actions do these people appear to be taking? Bell Ringer

2. Citizen Participation in a Democracy How can you make a difference in a democracy?

3. What does it take to become a U.S. citizen? • What does it mean to be a citizen? • How can ordinary people make a difference in a democratic society? We will examine…

4. Citizenship • Naturalization • Ideology • Liberalism • Conservatism • Civil Society Key Terms

5. Read Section 1 • While reading, consider these questions: • What does Robert D. Putnam say about how the participation of Americans in civic, social, and religious groups has changed over the past century and a half? • Do you think this change in behavior is cause for concern? Why or why not? Introduction

6. Constitution did not define citizenship • 1857 – Dred Scott v. Sandford • Decision – Scott, an enslaved African American born in Virginia, was not a citizen and therefore could NOT sue for his freedom. Dred Scott

7. Ratified in 1968 – clarified who was a citizen under the Constitution • Purpose was to extend citizenship rights to former slaves • All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” 14th Amendment

8. Jim Crow laws – Southern laws, enforcing segregation and denied legal equality to blacks • Plessy v. Ferguson: 1896 – Homer Plessywas arrested for sitting in a whites-only railroad car. Plessy argued Jim Crow laws went against 14th Amendment. • Separate but Equal – court said segregation was OK as long as facilities were equal. • Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954 – Linda Brown was prohibited from attending a white school near her home. • Court decided that “separate but equal” were by their nature unequal. From Plessyto Brown

9. Signed into law by President Johnson • Banned discrimination in most areas of American life on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin. Civil Rights Act of 1964

10. Rights – right to vote, to hold public office, to claim certain social & economic benefits • Most federal gov’t jobs are available to citizens only • Responsibilities • Legal, Personal, Civic Rights & Responsibilities of Citizens

11. Legal – obey laws, pay taxes, cooperate with public officials • At 18yrs old, all males must register for military service • Personal – taking care of one’s health, helping one’s family & friends • Civic – being informed about and participating in public affairs, volunteering for public good • i.e. jury duty, researching candidates • Political engagement is a choice, not a legal requirement. Rights & Responsibilities of Citizens

12. Two ways to become a citizen: • Birth • Naturalization – a legal process that gives someone all the rights and responsibilities of a native-born citizen Becoming an American Citizen

14. Naturalization Test

15. Political Culture – a society’s framework of shared values, beliefs, and attitudes concerning politics and government Political Culture in the United States

16. Shared Political Values: • Liberty • Equality • Democracy • Individualism • Justice and the rule of law • Optimism Political Culture in the United States

17. Americans may share a political culture, but do not hold the same ideology. • Ideology – basic political beliefs • Disagree on government’s role with economic policy & moral values • Two Most Common: • Liberalism • Conservatism Ideologies

18. Liberalism • Favors active role for the gov’t in society • Support business regulations, policies to reduce economic inequality, protect the environment, and improve the health care system • Resist gov’t involvement in personal lives • “Left of center” • Associated with Democratic Party Ideologies

19. Conservatism • Favors limited role for the gov’t • Support gov’t action on moral issues, reduced taxes, less gov’t programs • Look to private efforts such as religious congregations, service organizations, and business to deal with many of society’s problems • Generally oppose gov’t regulation of business • “Right of center” • Associated with Republican Party Ideologies

21. Socialism – limit economic inequality by having a fair distribution of wealth • Socialist Party of America • Libertarianism – strong belief in personal freedom; conservative on economic issues, liberal on social issues • Libertarian Party • Environmentalism – concerned with conservation and protection of the environment • Green Party Other Ideologies

22. Centrism – In the middle; neither liberal or conservative • Also called “Moderates” • Caused by polarization • *Polarization – political parties have adopted more extreme policies Other Ideologies

24. What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words “Civic Duty?” • Civic Engagement 101: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrmwYdp6gU How Americans Engage in Civic Life

25. Civic Society – associations and other voluntary groups that form a middle layer in society between gov’t & individual families. • Includes groups that people join b/c of family, faith, interests, or ideology How Americans Engage in Civic Life

26. Civil societies help expand a society’s social capital • Social Capital - “connections among individuals” made through participation in voluntary associations How Americans Engage in Civic Life

29. Electoral specialists – vote, volunteer in political campaigns, try to persuade others to vote • Civic specialists – focus on improving their communities & helping others • Dual activists – people who engage in electoral & civic activities • The disengaged – people who are not engaged in civic life; don’t vote or pay attention to civic affairs Four Categories of Civic Engagement