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Warm-Up Introduction to Government

Lesson Question

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WK2 Words to Know

Fill in this table as you work through the lesson. You may also use the glossary to help you.

guarantee to promise and deliver a future result

civil libertiesthe freedom of citizens to exercise rights such as of

speech or religion with minimal interference by the government

civil rights the personal rights of a citizen to be treated fairly under the law

Lesson Goals

Learn aboutthe relationship

between individuals and

government.

citizens

Explain how

get involved in government.

Discover how government can be

structured .

Describe the purposes of government.

What is the relationship between citizens and government?


Warm-Up Introduction to Government

Words to Know

constitutional democracy

a system of government in which the structure is set out in a written constitution and decisions and laws are made by

popular vote

policy a plan of action taken by a government to achieve a goal

Why Government Exists

Underline the word that is most repeated in the passage.

“Different men seek after happiness in different ways and by different means,

and so make for themselves different modes of life and forms of government.”

−“Politics,” Aristotle

The Purpose of Government

Government is the political system by which a group of people are ruled.

Its two major functions are:

• creating and enforcing laws .

• providing leadership, protection , and services for citizens.

WK2


Introduction to GovernmentInstruction

2Slide

Why the Government of the US Exists

Underline the sentence in the passage that says that people depend on government because they are not perfect.

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. . . . In framing a government which is

to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the

government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

–James Madison,Federalist No. 51

Government’s Goals

Goals of the US government

of citizensTo guarantee the rights servicesTo provide

for citizens

Government Services: Safety and Welfare

Public safety includes services

that protect people and keep them safe.

• Law enforcement

• Firefighting

• Emergency response

Public welfare systems focus

on improving people’s lives.

• Education

• Health inspections

• Public assistance



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Government Services: The Economy

The government also plays a key role in the economy by:

• building public works such as roads, power systems.

• regulating industry and trade .

• setting wage and safety rules.

Guaranteeing the Rights of Citizens

Government also protects the civil liberties and civil rights of citizens.

• Freedom of expression and religion

• Freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• Fair and equal treatment for all citizens under the law

Why Other Governments Exist

Communism

• To serve the collective good

of all citizens

• To promote equality

Monarchy

• To serve the interests of a royal family

• To promote stability



6Slide

How the US Government is Structured

The United States has a constitutional democracy .

limit Laws

government power.US government

The people give the government

authority .

The US Constitution

The Constitution structures government in two ways.

• By creating a federal system

• By dividing the federal government into three branches

The Federal System

All obey the

Constitution .

central The federal government is the

government of the United States.

stateState governments run each

but must obey federal laws.

,

towns, and counties, but must obey state laws.

citiesLocal governments run ,



Voting and Elections

Citizens elect candidates to represent their interests in government.

• Candidates try to win the support of voters.

• Elections are used to choose representatives .

The Branches of Government

Legislative branchMakes the law

Executive branchCarries out the law

Judicial branchInterprets the law

Separation of powers

The Responsibilities of US Citizens

Civic participation

Influencing policy Voting

How Other Governments are Structured

Communism

Governed by a central party

Monarchy

Ruled by a monarch

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8

10



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12

Why Your Vote Counts

Even large elections can be decided by just a few votes.

• In 2008, the race for a US Senate seat in Minnesota was decided by just 225 votes.

• More than 2.4 million votes were cast.

Public Policy

A policy is a plan of action taken by a government to achieve a goal.

• Economic policies

• Foreign policies

• Social policies

Your Role in Public Policy

Citizens have a responsibility to participate.

• Stay informed about policies and how they affect your community.

• Let representatives know if you support their policies.

• Propose new policies to benefit your community .


Summary Introduction to Government

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Answer

(Sample answer) In the United States, government provides services to its citizens and guarantees citizens’ civil rights. Citizens participate in government by voting and influencing policy.

Review: Individuals and Governments

Citizenship

Governmentstructure

Role ofgovernment

• Governments have many roles and purposes.

• The US government provides services and guarantees

civil rights .

• Governments are structured to distribute power .

• The United States is a constitutional democracy with different branches.

• Governments require that individuals be involved.

• In the United States, citizens have a responsibility to

monitor policy .

Lesson Question What is the relationship between citizens and government?

2Slide


Summary Introduction to Government

Use this space to write any questions or thoughts about this lesson.

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