Citizenship and Forms and Systems of Government

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship and provides equal protection of the laws

Citizenship

Being a person recognized as a member of the United States

Law of Soil

A person born on U.S. soil automatically becomes a U.S. citizen

Law of Blood

A person born in another country to U.S.-citizen parents automatically becomes a U.S. citizen

Naturalization

The process an immigrant completes to become a U.S. citizen

Legal Permanent Resident

A person with a Green Card who is allowed to live and work in the U.S.

Naturalization Qualifications

18+, legal permanent resident for 5 years, good character, and able to read, write, and speak English

Naturalization Process

N-400 application → interview → civics test → fingerprints/photo/signature → decision → Oath of Allegiance

Obligation

Something U.S. citizens MUST do, such as obey laws, pay taxes, jury duty, and Selective Service registration

Responsibility

Something U.S. citizens SHOULD do, such as vote, stay informed, volunteer, petition government, attend civic meetings, or run for office

Selective Service

Registration required for males ages 18–25 in case a military draft is needed

Jury Duty

Serving on a jury when summoned, helping protect the right to be tried by a jury of peers

Autocracy

Government where power is held by one person

Monarchy

Government where the ruler's right to rule is based on being born into a ruling family

Oligarchy

Government ruled by a small group of powerful or wealthy people

Republic

Government where people elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws for them

Democracy

Government based on rule by the people, either directly or through representatives

Theocracy

Government run by religious leaders

Authoritarian

Government that forces strict obedience to authority and allows little or no personal freedom

Totalitarian

Government that attempts to control almost all aspects of citizens' lives

Unitary System

Government system where almost all power is held by the central government

Confederal System

Government system where independent states hold most power and the central government is weak

Federal System

Government system where power is shared between the central and state governments

Rule of Law

Principle that no one is above the law, laws are applied fairly, and due process protects rights

Economic System

The way a society decides what to produce, how to produce it, and who gets it

Capitalism

Economic system where private individuals own and control most factors of production

Free Market

Economic system where private businesses compete and operate with limited government control

Communism

Political and economic system with centralized power, no private ownership, and government control of production and distribution

Socialism

Economic system where society has an equal share in production, distribution, and exchange of resources, often with higher taxes for shared services

Command Economy

Economy where the central government controls production, investment, prices, and incomes

Mixed Economy

Economy that combines free-market activity with some government control

Private Property

Property owned by private individuals or groups rather than the government

Prosperity

A state of being economically successful or financially thriving