Studied by 15 people
Consent of the Governed
People are the source of any and all governmental power
Rule of Law
Those who govern are bound by the law
Limited Government
The government is not all powerful and may only do what the people have given it permission to do
Democracy
The people rule
Representative Government
People elect public officeholders to make laws for them and represent them in the government
Charters of the Virginia Company of London
Rights of Englishmen guaranteed to colonists
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America
Declaration of Independence
-Stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
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-Affirmed "certain unalienable rights" (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
-Established the idea that all people are equal under the law
Articles of Confederation
-Established the first form of national government for the independent states
-Maintained that major powers resided with individual states
-Weakness of central government (e.g., no power to tax and enforce laws)
-Led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions
Constitution of the United States of America (Including the Bill of Rights)
-Establishes the structure of the United States government
-Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected
-Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people
-Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition (SPRAP)
Citizen
an individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice, owes allegiance to that government
Two ways to become a US Citizen
Birth
Naturalization
Two requirements to be naturalized
Demonstrate knowledge of American History and principles
Ability to speak and write English
Freedom of Speech
The right to engage in oral, written, and symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.
Freedom of the Press
right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other materials without government restriction
Freedom of Religion
people shall be free to have their religion, and government may not establish a religion
Freedom of Assembly
the right to gather with other people in public peacfully.
Freedom of Petition
the right to present requests to the government without punishment.
Duties
If you don't do them you will face legal consequences
Responsibilities
You should do them for the betterment of your community
4 Duties
-Obey laws
-Pay taxes
-Serve in the Armed Forces if called
-Serve on a jury or as a witness if called
7 Responsibilities
• Register and vote
• Hold elective office
• Influence government by communicating with government officials
• Serve in voluntary, appointed positions
• Participate in political campaigns
• Keep informed regarding current issues
• Respect others' rights to an equal voice in government
3 types of community service
• Volunteer to support democratic institutions (e.g., League of Women Voters).
• Express concern about the welfare of the community as a whole (e.g., environment, public health and safety, education).
• Help to make the community a good place to work and live (e.g., by becoming involved with public service organizations, tutoring, volunteering in nursing homes).
5 Traits of Good Citizens
• Trustworthiness and honesty
• Courtesy and respect for the rights of others
• Responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance
• Respect for the law
• Patriotism
Trustworthiness
The trait of deserving trust and confidence
Honesty
The quality of being honest
Courtesy
Politeness originating in kindness and exercised habitually.
Respect for the rights of others
The quality of acknowledging the Constitutional rights of others
Responsibility
The trait of using self control and acting rationally
Accountability
The trait of being willing to take responsibility for your actions
Self-Reliance
The quality of working hard to do things yourself instead of begging others to do things for you
Respect for the Law
The quality of acknowledging and following the law and those who enforce it
Patriotism
love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
1st Amendment
Contains SPRAP (Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition)
5th Amendment
NATIONAL Due Process
14th Amendment
STATE Due Process
Definition of citizenship
16th Amendment
Power to tax
4 Functions of political parties
-Recruit and nominate candidates
-Appeal to the electorate
-Help candidates to win elections
-Monitor the actions of officeholders (Serve as watchdogs)
Two party system
Party system that the US has
Third parties
-Introduce new ideas
-Working for major causes
-Revolve around a popular person
-Rarely win elections, but play an important role in politics
4 Similarities of political parties
-Organize to win elections
-Influence public policy
-Reflect both liberal and conservative views
-Appeal to political center
Platform
Where a party's stand on the issues is found
4 Strategies for evaluating campaign info
-Separating fact from opinion
-Detecting bias
-Evaluating sources
-Identifying propaganda
5 Roles of the mass media in campaigns
-Identifying candidates
-Emphasizing selected issues
-Writing political cartoons and editorials
-Publishing op-ed pieces
-Presenting different points of view
Rising campaign costs
• Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities
• Limit opportunities to run for public office
• Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office
• Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs)
• Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence
Campaign finance reform
• Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws.
• Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns
Qualifications to register to vote (in VA)
MUST BE:
-A US Citizen
-Resident of VA
-Will be 18 yrs. old by Election Day
29
The minimum number of days before Election Day that you can register
Note 
Flashcard (41)