Social Studies

What does “The common good mean”?

Conditions that benefit/affect all the members of a community and help everyone in a society

What are some roles that general citizens have to do?

obey the law, paying taxes, serving jury duty, and going to school

Define the “rule of law”

Everyone including the government and it’s leaders must follow the same laws.

Why are jury trials a important part of American Society?

They are important because they get ordinary peoples opinions if they are guilty or not and they have these types of processes to make sure the government does not have too much power.

Define “civic engagement”

Volunteering and helping your community become a better place

What is a way each citizen can stay civically engaged?

Participating in Government: Going to meetings

Influencing the Government: Protesting or voting 

Staying Informed: Social media platforms

Serving the Community: Going to jury duty

Define “public policy”

Governments plan special  rules to solve problems and take care of people in the community

What are interest groups and what are specific ways they influence public policy?

They are people who work together for similar interests they provide facts, research, and expert advice to help lawmakers understand an issue

What are grassroots movements and what are specific ways they influence public policy?

Campaigns in which ordinary people get together and push for a change in public policies.

What are political parties and what are specific ways they influence public policy?

Groups that work to gain political power and when an issue comes up that is related to their priorities they take action and help fix it.

Define "public servant".

An individual person employed by the government paid to serve the community.

What are examples of unelected public servants?

Police officers 

Teachers in public schools

Define “qualification”.

The qualities you need in order to be able to do the job that they have

What is government transparency?

Where we can see and know what decision the government makes

What are ways the government must act to be "transparent"?

They have to show us what they talk about and what they decide for our community