of the people, by the people, for the

people… Abe Lincoln

May live in or outside of a country

Part of a communityShare common history, customs and values

Abide by government’s authority and rules

Makes laws (rules of conduct) Provides services

*roads, education, fire department, hospitals, etc.

Keep order and provide security *enforces laws

*armed forces, police departments Plan for the future (guide the

community)*set goals (public policies), budgets

Watch the following videos on the LA Riots https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=sqHFFJIEtE0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=P43WZd611WA&feature=related https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=hDWNB01xGj4&feature=related

You will get into assigned groups of four and answer the following questions and share with the class:◦ What potential solutions that would resolve or

prevent the problems that were observed?◦ Do you think that the government should reacted

sooner? Why?◦ Be prepared to discuss!!!

• National (Federal)• State• Local (parish, city)

Highest level of authority in a country Makes and enforces laws for the entire

country Provides the basic framework for

citizenship Capital is located at Washington, D.C,

(District of Columbia)

All 50 states have a government that is separate from the federal level

Makes and enforces laws for the good of the citizens of the state

Level of government that can provide the easiest for its constituents

LA’s capital is located at Baton Rouge

Level of government that is closet to the American people

Parishes (LA) are also called counties (48 states) and boroughs (Alaska)

Could refer to the parish, city, town, or village

Government that is controlled by a small group or by one person

Leader(s) has complete control of government, law making, and citizens

Citizens are often told where to live, what work they will do, and they may or may not travel outside the country

Example: Castro in Cuba

Created by the ancient Athenians more than 2,500 years ago

All adult male citizens participated directly in the government

Every issue was debated and voted on

So who created the 1st democracy?

Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf

Americans are the source of the government’s authority

Citizens are the final source of authority The US is the oldest (225+ years)

representative democracy in the world

Through elections of senators, representatives, president and vice president

Voicing concerns via mail, e-mail, telephone calls, or public opinion polls

Joining political parties

The power of the government comes from the people

The American people, through their representatives, run their government

The purpose of government, is to make a better place for its inhabitants

Because democratic governments exist by the people, all genuine democracies have free, fair, and competitive elections

-everyone’s vote carries the same weight- one person, one vote

-all candidates have the right to express their views freely to the public

-citizens can support candidates/ issues of their choice

-voting requirements are kept to a minimum (age, citizenship, residence)

-competing political parties give voters a choice of candidates

-the loosing political party can serve as the other’s watch dog

-majority rule, while respecting the rights of the minority (Rousseau)

Majority Rule- political principle providing that the members of a community has the power to make laws that are binding upon all the people.

Public Policy- the course of action the government takes in response to an issue of problem

How do most governments settle conflicts between citizens?