Civics
Mayflower Compact (1620)
The Pilgrims coming to North America on the Mayflower in 1620 experienced a situation that was quite similar. The Mayflower had been blown off course, and the 102 people aboard were about to settle in an unfamiliar wilderness. They had one common goal: survival. They knew they had to work together to achieve this goal. To this end, they signed the Mayflower Compact. In this document, they all agreed to live according to the decisions of the majority. This was the first example of self-government in the British colonies.
pure democracy
democracy in which each person votes directly on issues
the characteristics of a limited government
freedom of speech freedom of press freedom of religion
Which of the following does the rule of law protect for the common good? Select all that apply.
the sharing of educational resources the need for safety
What is the best definition of "civic engagement"?
participating in activities related to community affairs or issues
What is civics?
the study of how government and political decisions are made
civics
the study of how government works and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
politics
the theory and practice of government and activities involved in governing
Why did the Pilgrims draft the Mayflower Compact?
to commit to following the majority rule
What is the purpose of the Federal Reserve System?
to ensure the stability of the economic system
Why do sovereign states need government?
to make and enforce laws to keep the peace among citizens to protect citizens from attack or invasion
Jordan is a........
unlimited government
Meaning of Democracy
The word "democracy" comes from the Greek roots demos, meaning "people," and kratos, meaning "power."
What is a characteristic of unlimited government?
complete power
to establish justice
we need to make sure all the citizens are treated fairly.
common good
working together toward benefit for all citizens
What type of document is used by most forms of limited government and addresses a citizen's right to vote?
written constitution
In early times, governing by conquering was a common characteristic of which type of government?
unlimited
inspecting and grading meat and poultry
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Why is civics important?
It helps citizens understand how they can influence the government.
limited countries
Other countries with limited forms of governments include most of the countries in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico.
sovereign state
a country with a defined territory that has its own independent government
citizen
a person recognized as belonging to a sovereign nation state, which confers both benefits and responsibilities
Which of the following countries have unlimited government?
Uzbekistan
To promote the general welfare
We need to encourage peace among citizens as well as protect their health and morality
To establish justice
We need to encourage peace among citizens as well as protect their health and morality.
To provide for the common defense
We need to protect ourselves from another country trying to take over our land.
To secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.
We need to protect people's natural rights, now and in the future.
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
politics
Which term describes the activities used by government officials to make collective decisions?
Citizens
Who has the ultimate power over political decisions in the United States?
theocracy
state ruled by a religious leader
Here are four historical documents or decisions related to the rule of law. Use their time periods to number them from 1 to 4.
2. Magna Carta 4. Marbury v. Madison 3. U.S. Constitution 1. Politics
Which countries are examples of unlimited governments?
Jordan Cuba
countries with unlimited government
Some examples of countries with unlimited governments, shown in the map below, include the following: The People's Republic of China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Bahrain, Monaco, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
To form a more perfect union
We need a better way to work together.
limited monarchy
a form of government in which the monarch shares power with an elected body
authority
the ability to enforce rules
four historic sources of today's rule of law:
1. One early source of this principle was Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, author of Politics in the fourth century B.C. In that book, he wrote that, "law should be the final sovereign." In other words, law should be the ruler, not some person who is acting as emperor. 2. The Magna Carta, which means "great charter" in Latin, furthered this ideal. England's King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215 A.D. in order to avoid a civil war. The document declared that even the sovereign, or ruler, was subject to laws. 3. The U.S. Founding Fathers were guided by the rule of law in 1787 when writing the Constitution, the document on which all U.S. law is based. By dividing power among judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government, they made it hard for a ruler to return to power. Not only does each American live under the rule of law, but so do U.S. government officials. 4. The U.S. Supreme Court strengthened the rule of law with the court case Marbury v. Madison (1803). Outgoing president John Adams had appointed William Marbury to an office. Secretary of State James Madison refused to make the appointment. The Court did not force the appointment because the justices said doing so was beyond the powers the Constitution gave them. However, by ruling that they had no power to confirm the appointment, the Supreme Court established the idea that courts, not individuals, decide whether laws are just and serve the common good. Move
Limited Government
A limited government allows power to be shared with different governing groups, preventing one group from becoming too powerful. Dividing power in this way also limits the misuse of power. As you study civics, you will find that this division of power also protects the rights of individuals and citizens. Some additional characteristics of a limited government include majority rule, protection of individual rights, equality of opportunity, and consent of the governed.
Civic engagement
A person who joins a committee to promote the local Chamber of Commerce is participating in civic life. This kind of participation is called "civic engagement." But civic engagement does not require joining a committee or running for office. At its most basic level, civic engagement involves staying informed, speaking out on issues of concern, and voting.
Following Laws
Equally important is following laws, even if they are unpopular. Not everyone will agree about the extent of the government's power over people. Some people may believe that we should require all bicycle riders to wear helmets, for instance. Others may argue that adults understand the risks involved in riding without a helmet and should be allowed to make their own decisions.
Representatives
At the national level, these representatives include the elected president, vice president, and members of Congress. There are similar elected officials at the state and local levels. U.S. citizens give these government leaders the authority to make decisions. But this doesn't leave you—the average citizen—off the hook. Because elected officials make decisions that affect the entire nation, state, or community, it is important to elect the people who will best represent what is best for you. Making informed decisions and voting are important civic responsibilities.
Which of the following countries would most likely use a curfew to prevent clashes between citizens and its police force?
Brunei
Unlimited Government
In an unlimited government, unlike a limited government, one person or a small group of people have the power to completely control its citizens. The controlling person or group can create laws without limits. If the government has a constitution, typically the leader may choose to ignore the rights that are defined within this document. In contrast, limited government defines its governing values in a constitution which is the law of the land that all citizens, including its leaders, must follow. An unlimited government may limit its citizens' freedom of expression and choice. Some of the basic freedoms the citizens of an unlimited government may be denied include: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to vote, freedom of employment, and freedom of religion. The United States was formed because citizens disliked the unlimited government of the King of England, whose rule was absolute. The colonists who left England and its unlimited government wrote the American Constitution which established a nation based on limited government rule. This is still the foundation for governing our society today.
Which of the following are true of the rule of law? Select all that apply.
It has to do with rules made according to law. It is the principle that laws govern nations. It is based on fundamental human freedoms. It protects people's rights around the world.
How did the Magna Carta further the development of the rule of law?
It made the sovereign subject to law.
John Locke
John Locke, a philosopher in England in the 1700s, argued that in order to live in a community people needed to give up some of their own freedom in exchange for the protection of the government. He called this agreement a social contract. The Founding Fathers incorporated Locke's ideas into the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. When drafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson changed Locke's right to "property" to the "pursuit of happiness."
These principles hold up the rule of law, almost like pillars hold up a roof.
Number one is accountability. A government that operates under the rule of law has to answer to its people. Number two is that the laws must be just. To comply with the rule of law, the laws must be fair and easy to understand. The same justice must apply to everybody. Number three is open government. This means that the people who make and enforce laws must be open about the process. Officials must be open about the administration of justice. Their actions must be both fair and efficient. Fourth, the group has identified the need for "accessible and impartial dispute resolution." This means that, when there is an issue among citizens, it needs to be taken care of by fair officials in a timely manner.
What is Politics?
Politics is the ways people make a collective decision or reach consensus on issues affecting a community—a nation, state, or town. Politics describes how people within the government work together and how they work with those beyond the government. Politics is an essential part of the decision-making process.
Power
Power and authority are often substituted for one another, but there is an important difference. Power can be defined as the ability to influence others to do things. In government however, power is sometimes gained through military advantage. Authority, on the other hand, is the right of the government. Kings once claimed that their authority to lead came from God. In the United States, the government gets its authority to lead from the people.
Elaboration on anarchy
The definition of anarchy is the absence of government but, the word anarchy is also used to describe a disorderly or chaotic situation. This is because living without government results in chaos. Government is needed to set the rules by which people live. After France toppled the monarchy in the French Revolution of 1789, that country experienced a period of anarchy. Some people looked forward to a time without government, but the chaos that ensued resulted in thousands of deaths. The CIA World factbook calls one nation—Somalia—an anarchy. The government is no longer in control of Somalia. The country is instead ruled by competing warlords and mobs.
Sovereign State
The definition of anarchy is the absence of government but, the word anarchy is also used to describe a disorderly or chaotic situation. This is because living without government results in chaos. Government is needed to set the rules by which people live. After France toppled the monarchy in the French Revolution of 1789, that country experienced a period of anarchy. Some people looked forward to a time without government, but the chaos that ensued resulted in thousands of deaths. The CIA World factbook calls one nation—Somalia—an anarchy. The government is no longer in control of Somalia. The country is instead ruled by competing warlords and mobs.
The Role of Government
The government is the group of people who manage the community. Governments make and enforce the laws, or rules, by which the citizens must live.
Which of the following is an example of the government's power over citizens?
The government takes away the license of a business that fails health inspections.
The country of Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland and is only sixty-two square miles in size. Based on this fact, which of the following statements applies to its government?
The size and location of Liechtenstein does not determine whether its government is limited or unlimited.
famous unlimited government
Two of the most infamous unlimited governments came to power in the twentieth century when Adolf Hitler, of Germany, and Joseph Stalin, of the former Soviet Union, rose to power. Hundreds of books and films have portrayed these powerful leaders. Their stories tell about the worst that can happen in an unlimited government.
"an eye for an eye."
This means that people who harm others should be punished the same way they caused harm. It is an ancient ruling that came from Hammurabi, who was king in the eighteenth century B.C., in what is now Iraq.
Napoleon Bonaparte
You have likely heard of Napoleon Bonaparte. Born in France in 1769, Napoleon conquered much of Europe. He gained power during the French Revolution and declared himself emperor of France in 1804. His military position gave him power over France, but many people questioned his authority to rule.
monarchy
a form of government in which the supreme power rests in one person, usually a person who has inherited this power
government
a group of people responsible for making and enforcing laws for a country, state, or community
What is government?
a group of people that makes and enforces rules for a community
Which of the following phrases most adequately describes the rule of law?
a principle of governance
democracy
a system of government by the whole population or by all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
federalism
a type of government in which power and responsibilities are divided among local, state, and national governments
unlimited government
a type of government that concentrates power with one person or branch of government
limited government
a type of government that separates powers between different branches of government
What is a sovereign state?
an independent country that makes its own laws
civic life
anything related to how citizens interact with or relate to the affairs of their community
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
establishes requirements for clean drinking water, land, and air - but local governments are responsible for ensuring that they meet these standards • tries to reduce environmental risks and creates laws to protect human health and the environment • requires contaminated lands and toxic sites to be clean up and reviews chemicals for safety
What are the characteristics of limited government?
freedom of religion majority rule government by constitution freedom of speech
oligarchy
government ruled by one group
autocracy
government ruled by one person
government
group of people responsible for making and enforcing laws for a country, state, or community
sovereignty
having complete power and authority
Costs are not always money. For example, government programs may:
increase taxes increase expenses for businesses or groups of people increase time spent complying with or enforcing a regulation limit freedom
US Department of Agriculture (USDA):
inspects and assigns a grade to meat and poultry to ensure that they are safe to eat, have accurate labels, and are correctly packaged • states are important partners in the meat inspection system; twenty-eight states have their own inspection programs • establishes rules for which meats can be labeled as organic, based on what animals eat and their living conditions • some states have and enforce farm animal welfare programs that have more in-depth requirements than the federal government has
Which types of authorities use inherited power to rule their countries?
kings
anarchy
lack of government
two reasons for the division of power in a limited government.
limit misuse of power protect the rights of individuals
Voting rights are associated with which type of government?
limited
Right to vote is....
limited government
Food and Drug Administration
oversees food safety and Nutrition Facts labeling programs
confederacy
people, groups, or states that unite for a cause
Benefits are the advantages of a program or activity. For example, government programs may:
protect public health ensure the safety of people or groups of people reduce overall operating costs provide citizens with access to services protect the rights of individuals Costs refer to the disadvantages of a program or activity.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
provides oversight of the food safety system to protect public health • sets and enforces rules related to egg safety, produce safety, and retail food protection • oversees inspections, enforcement, and labeling required for all processed/packaged food, restaurant menus, and vending machines • state and local governments work with the FDA to identify and report problems with food safety, sometimes resulting in a recall of food products that may pose a health risk • local agencies provide inspections of restaurants and markets to ensure that they meet health standards. Failure to meet standards can result in the loss of a business license
Environmental Protection Agency
sets and enforces clean water regulations
republic
state ruled by the people, whose rights are protected by a charter
unitary
system in which a strong central government rules weak states
What is the best definition of "government"?
the group responsible for making and enforcing laws
equality of opportunity
the principle that citizens regardless of their race, color, age, gender, national origin, or religion should have equal access to workplace opportunities.
rule of law
the principle that laws, rather than people, govern nations
consent of the governed
the principle that the authority of a government should depend on the consent of the people, as expressed by votes in elections
