Civics

• 1. Civics
  

2. What is Civics
Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens.Who can and cannot be a citizen has changed greatly over time.At one time only wealthy, upper class men were allowed citizenship.This gave them the right to rule and privileges not allowed others.Luckily views on citizenship have changed over time and all people, regardless of race, wealth or gender, have equal say in government.
Citizens-community members who owe loyalty to the government and are entitled to protection from it.All citizens of a country must agree to abide by rules and laws and accept the governments authority.
3. Government emerged when people learned they could not survive without some form of authority to regulate behavior.
Anarchy- society without rules or government, survival of the fittest
Origins of Government
4. State
dominant political unit in the world
Body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically, with power to make and enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority.
5. Characteristics of a state
Population:The people of a country, citizens.Populations vary in sizes and types; some have mixed ethnic groups while others are very similar in background.
Smallest:Vatican City (@900)
Largest:China (over 1 billion)
Territory:the known and recognized boundaries of a state.
Smallest:Vatican City (@ .44 square miles).
Largest:Russia (6,592,750)
Sovereignty:The state has the power to govern itself.
Government:The state is politically organized.
6. Origin of the State (unknown)
Force Theory:one person or a small group took territory and made all within it accept their authority.
Evolution:The state evolved from family to clan to tribe to state.
Divine Right:God given right to rule. This was very popular in Medieval Europe.Rulers claimed they were chosen by God to rule.It gave the advantage that revolting against their rule was a sin.
Social Contract:Was created as a response to the Divine Right theory by philosophers like John Locke, James Harrington, T. Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. According to this theory man agreed to live and work together in a state, creating a contract.
7. Classification of Governments
-no two governments are alike, classified by 1 of 3 things
8. Unitary:centralized, all power belongs to a single central agency.Local government Created for convenience and get all power from the central source.Example:Great Britain, Parliament is the sole power.
Federal:power is divided between central government and several local governments.Division of power is made on geographic basis by superior authority.Example:U.S.A., Central governments and state governments have separate powers but have to work together to change the Constitution.
Confederate(none):alliance of independent states.Central government only has power given it by the individual states.
Geographical Distribution of Power (most common)
9. Relationships between Legislative and Executive Branches
President and Legislative branches elected separately with equal power.
Parliamentary:legislative elected and chooses CEO of that body, usually leader of the majority party.Selects cabinet members from parliament with approval.Remain in office as long as policies are supported
10. Number who may participate
Dictatorship (oldest and most common) power to govern is held by one person or a small group.Not responsible to the people, cannot be limited, usually military.
authoritarian:power is absolute
totalitarian:power over all aspects of daily life
11. Democracy:supreme power is with the people
Democracy:supreme power is with the people
direct:will of people translated directly into law by the people (town meeting)
Indirect:representative, popular will expressed by small group of reps.
Republic:powers held by electorate, exercised by chosen reps.
12. Basic Concepts of Democracy: not the best, not the worst
recognize the fundamental worth of the individual:each individual is important and must be respected.Do what is right for the most without hurting the individual
Equality of all Persons:all people should have equality of opportunity and equality before the law
Majority Rule and Minority Rights:do what is best for the majority while taking care of the minority.Remember that the minority can become the majority.
Necessity of Compromise
Individual Freedom:your rights end where they interfere with anothers
13. Need for Government

• A government is the ruling authority of a community.Governments have been around for thousands of years in many different forms.Government makes it possible for people to live together peacefully and productively.