Unit One-Chapter One Section One
Unit One-Chapter One Section One
When we look at our national government, we almost automatically think of those first words of the United States Constitution, “We the People.” Abraham Lincoln once said that our government was “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But what exactly does all that mean?
The creators of our country were concerned about how their voice and participation was overlooked by the King of England. They had learned many great things through their own experience and the writings of the Enlightenment authors that would shape their understanding of government. They established a belief system about government and ‘the People” was the center of that belief system.
The name of this course is “Civics.” Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens. You and I are citizens of the United States of America, whether we were born here or came from some place else. Citizens have certain rights and duties. We owe a loyalty to the government and are protected by it. What about those Americans that are living in other countries, maybe working for a business that has offices there? Are they still citizens of the United States? What is the purposes of government from the standpoint of the American citizen?
A government is the ruling authority for a community. There are many levels of government. Many European countries have joined together as the European Union for economic and cultural reasons. There is government represented in the European Union. The United States has its seat of government in Washington D.C. Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court all exist in this location and represent the American citizens in their various responsibilities. Then there are the fifty State governments representing their citizens in the various forms necessary from a State level. Our local county has government representatives to serve those living in our county, from the Sheriff’s department, to County Commissioners, and all of the other county offices. Each town or city in our state has its own government to serve the needs of those people living there, with roles such as mayors, police departments, and more. You might even consider your class officers as a type of government, representing you within the school system. Each of these levels of government has a responsibility to the people they represent. Without them, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” as English Enlightenment thinker Thomas Hobbes once stated. Hobbes saw the direct need of government to protect the people and the people granted the government this authority through election. This Social Contract view of representative government remains a basic foundation in all representative democracies today.
When we look at our national government, we almost automatically think of those first words of the United States Constitution, “We the People.” Abraham Lincoln once said that our government was “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But what exactly does all that mean?
The creators of our country were concerned about how their voice and participation was overlooked by the King of England. They had learned many great things through their own experience and the writings of the Enlightenment authors that would shape their understanding of government. They established a belief system about government and ‘the People” was the center of that belief system.
The name of this course is “Civics.” Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens. You and I are citizens of the United States of America, whether we were born here or came from some place else. Citizens have certain rights and duties. We owe a loyalty to the government and are protected by it. What about those Americans that are living in other countries, maybe working for a business that has offices there? Are they still citizens of the United States? What is the purposes of government from the standpoint of the American citizen?
A government is the ruling authority for a community. There are many levels of government. Many European countries have joined together as the European Union for economic and cultural reasons. There is government represented in the European Union. The United States has its seat of government in Washington D.C. Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court all exist in this location and represent the American citizens in their various responsibilities. Then there are the fifty State governments representing their citizens in the various forms necessary from a State level. Our local county has government representatives to serve those living in our county, from the Sheriff’s department, to County Commissioners, and all of the other county offices. Each town or city in our state has its own government to serve the needs of those people living there, with roles such as mayors, police departments, and more. You might even consider your class officers as a type of government, representing you within the school system. Each of these levels of government has a responsibility to the people they represent. Without them, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” as English Enlightenment thinker Thomas Hobbes once stated. Hobbes saw the direct need of government to protect the people and the people granted the government this authority through election. This Social Contract view of representative government remains a basic foundation in all representative democracies today.
Some rock bands and others like to promote the idea of anarchy. Anarchy is life without any form of government. Hobbes believed that humans naturally compete for territory, resources, and power. We seek what we want and at times ignore the desires and needs of our neighbors. Government helps us to live and function together and protect us and our property in those situations where there is conflict. Can you imagine if there were no police? No military? No fire departments? What if someone stole something valuable of yours, like a car, or destroyed some of your property? If there was no government, you would not be able to seek restitution, or payment for the damages, other than at your own hands. It would be risky and you probably would not have much luck. Government gives protection in these matters, even if it’s only the arrest and punishment for the crime.
The Functions of Government
As mentioned, government provides protections through the military and police, but the functions of government are much greater than that. Governments do help keep order, settle conflicts, and protect the community. Governments also provide services individuals could not supply independently, like fire and ambulance services. They guide communities and plan for the future. Governments set policies, make budgets, and interact with other communities.
As mentioned, government provides protections through the military and police, but the functions of government are much greater than that. Governments do help keep order, settle conflicts, and protect the community. Governments also provide services individuals could not supply independently, like fire and ambulance services. They guide communities and plan for the future. Governments set policies, make budgets, and interact with other communities.
Keeping Order and Providing Security
You and one of your friends have probably had an argument or disagreement sometime in your friendship. We all have experienced some sort of conflict in life; it is a natural part of existing in community. Each person has their own opinions and beliefs and they may not always match those of someone else. These differences led to the establishment of political parties, competition over positions, and ultimately, wars in our societies. Governments help to ease many of the conflicts encountered through the creation and enforcement of laws. Remember that person who stole your car in the earlier reference to anarchy? Governments through the courts decide whether the accused of crimes are guilty and how punishment should be expressed if they are indeed guilty.
What if a neighboring community marched on your own and started to cause harm and damage? Or what about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? Governments address these concerns about community security, the defending of citizens and their land from enemies. The early colonists had volunteer militias to meet these types of threats. Soon after the Revolutionary War, there was the establishment of a “standing” army, one that is in place both in war and peace. Our military and other government agencies concentrate on preventing trouble from happening between outside sources and those people in our communities.
You and one of your friends have probably had an argument or disagreement sometime in your friendship. We all have experienced some sort of conflict in life; it is a natural part of existing in community. Each person has their own opinions and beliefs and they may not always match those of someone else. These differences led to the establishment of political parties, competition over positions, and ultimately, wars in our societies. Governments help to ease many of the conflicts encountered through the creation and enforcement of laws. Remember that person who stole your car in the earlier reference to anarchy? Governments through the courts decide whether the accused of crimes are guilty and how punishment should be expressed if they are indeed guilty.
What if a neighboring community marched on your own and started to cause harm and damage? Or what about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? Governments address these concerns about community security, the defending of citizens and their land from enemies. The early colonists had volunteer militias to meet these types of threats. Soon after the Revolutionary War, there was the establishment of a “standing” army, one that is in place both in war and peace. Our military and other government agencies concentrate on preventing trouble from happening between outside sources and those people in our communities.
Providing Public Services
Do you think you could handle a house fire on your own without the assistance of the fire department? Some flammable substances increase in risk if you try to stop the fire with efforts that could stop another fire. Do you know all the risks involved with all types of fire? What about your neighbor’s house? Could they take care of such a situation and prevent it from spreading to your home? The area fire departments train to know how to combat the various risks. This is just one of the services provided by the different levels of government. Other services created and managed by governments are libraries, schools, hospitals, parks, and recreation centers. Public transportation, water supply, roads and bridges, sanitation, and postal services are all examples of government provided services. They strive to keep people healthy and safe. That is the purpose for most laws. Think about speed limits, seat belt and helmet laws. Each are there for the person’s safety. If it wasn’t for the monitor of agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, we would still have meatpacking plants full of rat droppings in the meat. Governments also provide assistance for those that need such as food aid or job training for poor families, out of work people, and those with disabilities.
Guiding the Community
Public policy is the course of government action to achieve community goals. Protecting consumers and strengthening national security are setting public policy goals. Laws and guidelines to achieve these goals is the making of public policy. To provide these services, the government must have financial resources drawn from taxing of the people. Parliament created taxes affecting the colonists without their direct input. In the United States, the people authorize any taxes or increases through the process of voting and public policy. Governments have limited amounts of money, even if you wouldn’t believe it. There is only so much money available and it must be used wisely. That is why the government must create a budget, or a plan for collecting and spending money, to successfully operate in the community.
How do people interact with others in another area? Does our community have good relations with a neighboring town or does the United States have a good relationship with Canada or Mexico or any other country? This is another part of government’s role, taking responsibility for communicating and cooperating with other governments for the benefit of the people. Public policy involves international trade, travel, and military agreements.
Levels of Government
The highest level of government in the United States rests in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This government not only makes the laws for the whole country, it also enforces them. Next, you have the state governments. Under that, are the local governments, including county, city, and town. Any organization that you participate in may have its own governing body as well.
You might hear someone say “I don’t trust the government” or “the government is for the people.” Most people are thinking about the national government. All other levels of government, state or local, cannot express authority higher than the national government.
Democratic Government
Not all governments throughout the world have a democratic government, or a government in which the people rule. Some nations’ governmental power rest in the hands of a few people or even one person. These governments are typically referred to as dictatorships. A dictatorship is a government controlled by one person or a small group of people. When one person has complete control of a government, it is known as an autocracy.
Public policy is the course of government action to achieve community goals. Protecting consumers and strengthening national security are setting public policy goals. Laws and guidelines to achieve these goals is the making of public policy. To provide these services, the government must have financial resources drawn from taxing of the people. Parliament created taxes affecting the colonists without their direct input. In the United States, the people authorize any taxes or increases through the process of voting and public policy. Governments have limited amounts of money, even if you wouldn’t believe it. There is only so much money available and it must be used wisely. That is why the government must create a budget, or a plan for collecting and spending money, to successfully operate in the community.
How do people interact with others in another area? Does our community have good relations with a neighboring town or does the United States have a good relationship with Canada or Mexico or any other country? This is another part of government’s role, taking responsibility for communicating and cooperating with other governments for the benefit of the people. Public policy involves international trade, travel, and military agreements.
Levels of Government
The highest level of government in the United States rests in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This government not only makes the laws for the whole country, it also enforces them. Next, you have the state governments. Under that, are the local governments, including county, city, and town. Any organization that you participate in may have its own governing body as well.
You might hear someone say “I don’t trust the government” or “the government is for the people.” Most people are thinking about the national government. All other levels of government, state or local, cannot express authority higher than the national government.
Democratic Government
Not all governments throughout the world have a democratic government, or a government in which the people rule. Some nations’ governmental power rest in the hands of a few people or even one person. These governments are typically referred to as dictatorships. A dictatorship is a government controlled by one person or a small group of people. When one person has complete control of a government, it is known as an autocracy.
(Painting depicting the citizens of Athens as they restore democratic government following the Peloponnesian Wars.)
Our democratic government has its roots in ancient Greece, some 2,500 years ago. The city of Athens provided every citizen the right and responsibility to be involved in their government with an equal voice. Known as a direct democracy, all the citizens met to debate government matters and vote firsthand. Direct democracy is not effective with large populations, could you imagine if every American had to come together to make governmental decisions? This is why the United States and most democratic countries have a representative democracy.
Why do you think the woman is calling politicians “dictators?”
In a representative democracy, the people decide on a group of people to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf. The entire citizenry makes the decisions of who will represent and if their decisions are right for all involved. Everyone remain as the source of the government’s authority. The oldest representative democracy is the United States, but others soon followed.
Principles of American Democracy
Remember Lincoln’s statement, that our democracy is a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people?” Well, there are three key things we must consider from that statement. First, “government of the people means the power of government comes from the citizens. Second, “by the people” means that Americans run their government through their representatives. Third, “for the people” means the purpose of our government is to make our country a better place to live.
Democratic governments have free elections. They are fair and competitive elections. The people choose who wins each election by casting a vote. The candidates may campaign for the position and try to gain the confidence and vote of the majority of voters. If there is more than one person running for office, they have to try harder to get peoples votes. Ultimately, the citizenry will have decided the outcome of the election through their votes. No one’s vote is more important than another person’s vote, we believe in “one person, one vote.” The candidates have the freedom to express their views freely to the public and the public is free to support any candidate on the issues. There are few restrictions and requirements to being a voter. Religion, education, race, ethnicity are kept out of the allowance of voting in our modern world (although this hasn’t always been the case) and only age, residence and citizenship are used in the decision of who can vote.
Elections are competitive thanks to political parties. A political party is a group of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to support candidates for office and determine public policy. The United States basically exists as a two-party system. For as long as there have been political parties in our country, there have been only two main parties. Hundreds of “third parties” are out there, but they fail to have the clout or members that can be found in the Democrat or Republican parties. By having this competition, both or all of the candidates may be challenged to integrity in their efforts to represent the people.
Principles of American Democracy
Remember Lincoln’s statement, that our democracy is a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people?” Well, there are three key things we must consider from that statement. First, “government of the people means the power of government comes from the citizens. Second, “by the people” means that Americans run their government through their representatives. Third, “for the people” means the purpose of our government is to make our country a better place to live.
Democratic governments have free elections. They are fair and competitive elections. The people choose who wins each election by casting a vote. The candidates may campaign for the position and try to gain the confidence and vote of the majority of voters. If there is more than one person running for office, they have to try harder to get peoples votes. Ultimately, the citizenry will have decided the outcome of the election through their votes. No one’s vote is more important than another person’s vote, we believe in “one person, one vote.” The candidates have the freedom to express their views freely to the public and the public is free to support any candidate on the issues. There are few restrictions and requirements to being a voter. Religion, education, race, ethnicity are kept out of the allowance of voting in our modern world (although this hasn’t always been the case) and only age, residence and citizenship are used in the decision of who can vote.
Elections are competitive thanks to political parties. A political party is a group of individuals with broad, common interest who organize to support candidates for office and determine public policy. The United States basically exists as a two-party system. For as long as there have been political parties in our country, there have been only two main parties. Hundreds of “third parties” are out there, but they fail to have the clout or members that can be found in the Democrat or Republican parties. By having this competition, both or all of the candidates may be challenged to integrity in their efforts to represent the people.
Voters expressing their opinions on governmental influence and other concerns they have about our government and nation. Americans can openly protest our government where it is illegal in other forms of government, such as dictatorships.
Of course, not everyone will be happy with the results of any election. The person with the highest number of votes is the winner of the election, that’s established through majority rule. The minority will understand that it was a competition and perhaps they will be part of the majority the next time. The majority must respect the views of the minority and their needs, even though they did not succeed in getting their candidate into office. The respect is difficult, especially when society is under much stress. There have been instances where our government failed to respect the minority, as in the case of containment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Members of the government feared the support of the Japanese military from these individuals and wanted to keep the risk at a minimum. Unfortunately, this was damaging to many loyal Americans of Japanese background. Congress recognized their “grave injustice” in this relocation by offering payments to the surviving Japanese Americans in 1988. President George W. Bush was concerned of similar actions after the terrorists attacks of 2001 and responded by visiting the Islamic Center in Washington D.C. and acknowledging Islam as a peaceful religion and wishing all Americans to treat Muslim Americans fairly.
Part of Executive Order 9066, ordering all Japanese Americans on the West Coast to be relocated to internment camps farther inland following the attack of the Japanese Navy on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
This business was owned by an American of Japanese background. As you can see from the sign in the window, he stressed his loyalty to the United States, although this family still were relocated to an internment camp.
Japanese Americans waiting to board trains in Los Angeles that would take them to the internment camps.