Introduction to GovernmentUnit One

The purpose?

• To rule a country and its people

Types of Governments

• Autocracy• Controlled by a single individual

• Oligarchy• Small, powerful groups are in control

• Democracy• More people participate in the governing process

and have some influence

Who is in charge?

• Totalitarian Government: those in authority have complete control and unlimited power

• Authoritarian Government: power is limited by a group (may be the military or a religious group)

• Constitutional Government: a framework of written laws limits government officials

DEMOCRACY

• The citizens give their government the authority to rule• Comes from two Greek words: demos (the

people) and kratos (rule or power)

• True or False: The founding fathers didn’t like democracies.• True—they felt no one would be in charge and

a mob mentality would result.

Types of Democracies

Direct• Each citizen has a direct

and equal say in the government

Representative• The people elect certain

individuals to represent their opinions, concerns, and desires• A republic is another

name for a representative democracy

What do we have?

• A Democracy• A Republic• A Representative

Democracy• A Constitutional

Democracy

Our IdealsOur government works because the citizens of our country believe in certain ideals—that is, we have

agreed to live by the following:

• We accept majority rule.• We agree that the rights

of the people who were in the minority must be protected.• We want to be ruled by

laws, not powerful individuals.

• We want freedom of speech—that is, we want to be allowed to question and criticize our elected officials for the purpose of improving our government.• We want our government to

serve the people, not the other way around. We call this popular sovereignty.

Federalism

• The division of political power between the national government and the individual state governments.

WHO IS THE TYPICAL AMERICAN?

The American Identity

• We’ve moved from being a melting pot to being a cultural mosaic

Immigration

• European Americans began travelling to the New World in the 1600s (mostly white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants)• Africans were brought to the colonies as slaves

immediately• Hispanics settled in the South and Southwest in the

1800s• Asian Americans settled the west coast in the 1800s• Exclusion Laws existed between 1882-1952 to keep

them from immigrating

Today’s Population

• We’re a diverse nation with the same goal: enjoying the opportunities afforded to Americans• Our last three censuses showed changes…

1990 Census 2000 Census 2010 Census

Non-white 20% 25% 28%

Hispanic 9% 12% 16%

Largest Minority African Americans

Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans

THE MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP

Who is a Citizen?

• Anyone born in the United States or in one of its territories (even if the parents aren’t citizens)• At least one of the parents was a citizen at the time of

birth (no matter where the baby was born)• A person who has gone through the process of

becoming a citizen• Any child under 18 whose parent went through this

process

The Naturalization Process

• Step One: Application• Step Two: Examination—must prove the following• Age 18 or older• Legal resident of country for 5 years, state for 3

months• Good moral character• Loyal to the U.S. Constitution• Able to read, write, and speak English• Knowledge of U.S. history and form of government

• Step Three: Final Hearing• Takes oath of loyalty in court

• Naturalized citizens have all the rights and duties of citizens by birth except:

• the right to be President or Vice President

Our Rights as Citizens

What we can do

• To vote and hold office• To say what we think in speech and in writing• To practice our own religion• To have a fair trial• And tons more!

Our Duties as Citizens

What we have to do

• Obey the laws• Defend the nation• Men must register with Selective Service at age 18• May choose to be a conscientious objector

• Serve as a juror or witness in court• Pay taxes• Attend school

Our Responsibilities as Citizens

What we should do

• Work toward the common good• Vote• Hold office• Participate in campaigns• Influence government• Serve the community