CivicsChapter 1

What is Civics?

Civics is…the study of government

and citizenship

Government is…• the ruling authority for a

community; power to make and enforce laws

• Three basic types of governments

MonarchyRuled by a hereditary king,

queen, or emperor

Ex.

United Kingdom

Japan

Saudi Arabia

Constitutional MonarchyThe power of the monarch is limited by the country’s Constitution

Ex:

United Kingdom

Japan

United Kingdom – Queen Elizabeth II

Japan –Emperor Akihito

Absolute MonarchyThe power of the monarch is without limits

Ex:

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia –King Salman

DictatorshipAbsolute power of one person or a

small group

Examples:

Kim Jong-un

Fidel Castro

Saddam Hussein

DemocracyPeople rule and make laws

Ex.

United States

India

Mexico

Two Types of Democracy

1. Direct – Every citizen votes for the laws directly

Ex . Ancient Athens,Switzerland, and

Mayflower Compact

Two Types of Democracy

2. Representative – citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf

Ex. United States of America and House of Burgesses

Chapter 1The Citizen and the

Community

Civics is…the study of government

and citizenship

CitizenshipCitizen –

member of a community with a government and laws

Citizenship means…• have certain rights and duties• share a common history,

customs, or values• Americans share the ideals of

individual rights and equality of opportunity

Citizen by Birth• ANY Child born inside the U.S.

or its territories, even by non-citizens

• Exception – foreign diplomat children

• Child whose parents are both U.S. citizens, wherever he or she is born

Citizen by Birth

Non-Citizens• Aliens – people from other

countries who are not U.S. citizens• Immigrants – people from another

country who want to live in the U.S. permanently; must have permission

Naturalization – the process by which immigrants become citizens

Ch. 1 continued…Duties and Responsibilities

While being an American citizen you have plenty of rights and freedoms, but you also have duties and responsibilities

Duties of a Citizen• Things we are required to do

• If we fail to perform them, we are subject to fines or imprisonment

DutiesObey the Law

DutiesPay taxes

DutiesDefend the nation

DutiesServe in Court

DutiesAttend school

Responsibilities

• Things we should do

• Obligations to fulfill voluntarily

ResponsibilitiesBe informed and vote

ResponsibilitiesParticipate in your community

and government

ResponsibilitiesRespect the rights and

property of others

ResponsibilitiesRespect different opinions

and ways of life