Citizenship & Democracy

Basic rights, civic virtues, pillars of democracy, principles of a government

Freedom of speech and expression

say what you believe without government censorship

Freedom of religion

worship (or not) as you choose

Right to vote

participate in local, state, and federal elections

Right to a fair trail

trial by jury & legal representation, due of process

Right to run for public office

citizens can campaign and be elected to government roles

Right to apply for federal jobs

Some positions require U.S. citizenship

Freedom to live and travel in the U.S.

Citizens can reside anywhere and apply for a passport

Right to bring family members to the U.S.

Citizens can sponsor relatives for immigration

What is a civic virtue?

A civic virtue is the value every citizen has to better the community. It’s the dedication of citizens to the welfare of their community even at their own cost.

Courage

strength to withstand danger, fear or difficulty

Initiative

action independent of outside influence

Justice

being fair in respecting the rights of all

Honor

adherence to virtuous principles; being true to one’s word

Moderation

avoidance of extremes or excesses

Perserverance

to persist in spite of oppostion

Respect

high or special regard

Responsibility

to answer for one’s conduct

Self-Reliance

confidence in one’s own powers and resources

Civic Knowledge

understanding the diverse influences that shape political systems and civic life

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that gov. power comes from the people; citizens exercise this power through voting and civic participation; ensures gov. remains accountable to its citizens

Individual Rights and Civil Liberties

Protected by the Bill of Rights and Constitution; includes freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly; guards against gov. overreach and tyranny; ensures equal protection under the law

Rule of Law

No one is above the law, including gov. officials; law apply equally to all citizens; provides stability and predictability in society; prevents arbitrary exercise of power

Separation of Powers

Divides gov. into three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial); creates checks and balances between branches; prevents concentration of power in any single branch; promotes accountability and prevents abuse

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others (e.g. President can veto laws, but Congress can override veto); courts can declare laws unconstitutional; maintain balance of power

Federalism

Power shared between federal and state gov; states maintain sovereignty in certain areas; allows for local control while maintaining national unity; promotes innovation and responsiveness to local needs

What is a democracy?

A democracy is a system for the people by the people, where representatives are elected to represent a certain population

Equal and inalienable rights

No one is born with a natural right to rule over others

Republicanism

people entrusts to certain elected officials the responsibilities of day-to-day decision-making regarding law and policy