Civic Participation in a Democracy Unit 12 Essential

Civic Participation in a Democracy Unit 12 Essential Question: How can we get involved in our government?

Citizenship • Historically, it was a bit unclear, especially for slaves. • Amendment XIV (14) made it clear… “all persons born or naturalized in the United States…” • Also says states can’t discriminate against citizens or remove rights. • For about 100 years, this was largely ignored in the South. • Civil Rights Act (1964) sought to change this. • Banned discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin. • Made enforcement a goal of U. S. government.

Civic Rights • Includes rights listed in Bill of Rights. • Legal U. S. residents have these rights too. • U. S. citizens have more rights. • Right to vote • To hold public office • Claim social & economic benefits (E. g. , welfare) • Hold federal gov’t jobs

Responsibilities • Everyone in the U. S. must… • Obey laws • Pay taxes • Cooperate with public officials • Males, 18+, must register for military service • U. S. citizens… • Should be informed & participate in public affairs (most basic— vote)

Naturalization • See video on uscis. gov website • https: //www. uscis. gov/citizenship/learners/study-test/studymaterials-civics-test/becoming-us-citizen-overview-naturalizationprocess • Also, take the uscis. gov practice test

Political culture in the U. S. • Political culture = shared values, beliefs, attitudes on politics & gov’t • Things in common… • Liberty – We like max liberty as long as it harms no one else • Equality – We love equality of opportunity (vote, education, job, pursue happiness). Note: this is NOT equality of outcome. • Democracy – We feel power comes from the people, not top-down. • Individualism – Personal freedom and responsibility matters. Do your thing, but own up to it as well.

continued • Free enterprise – Freedom to do your thing in business (your job, how you spend $, without gov’t bossing you). Also means some win, some lose. • Justice & rule-of-law – We want laws that are enforced and done so fairly. • Patriotism – We love our country, are proud of it, fly the flag. • Civic duty – We must do our part in our democracy. (vote, serve) • Optimism – We believe we can do things & our best days are coming. Amer-I-can!

Liberals vs. Conservatives • Liberals – like the gov’t to be active to help the people • They’re “on the left” • Liberals are Democrats • Some ideas: • Regulate business • Reduce economic inequality • Protect the environment • Provide health care • Abortion is woman’s right to choose

Cont. • Conservatives – like the gov’t to away from people, to allow freedom • They’re “on the right” • Conservatives are Republican • Some ideas: • More freedom/less regulation • Pro-business policies • Reduce gov’t size, debt • Lower taxes & spend less • Abortion kills an unborn child

Criticism 101 • Liberals say of conservatives: • You let some get rich while others stay poor. You don’t care about real people. • Conservatives say of liberals: • You take tax $ from people who actually work and give it to others. You reward laziness.

Other ideologies • Socialism – sliding from capitalism (our free enterprise economic system) toward communism (where gov’t owns/runs everything) • Further left than liberals/Democrats • Libertarianism – just let me live my life as I wish. Give me liberty, or give me death! • Environmentalism – focused mostly on the environment. Save the baby polar bears!