What is Citizenship? A citizen is one who has specific rights and obligations within a political unit such as being a citizen of a country or a state.

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1 What is Citizenship? A citizen is one who has specific rights and obligations within a political unit such as being a citizen of a country or a state. All countries have their own definitions and expectations of citizenship, although there are several similarities and differences across countries and types of government. For example, it is common for democracies to grant citizenship to all persons born within their jurisdictions although not all democracies have the same procedures for granting naturalization, nor do all democracies grant the same rights to naturalized citizens.

2 Citizenship in the U.S. Constitution The 14 th Amendment, Section 1 defines citizenship in the U.S. Constitution as: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. Key point: The naturalization process is not defined in the U.S. Constitution; it is regulated by Congress (see Benchmark 3.3). Citizenship is found 11 times in the original U.S. Constitution without definition.

3 Achieving Citizenship Citizenship in the U. S. may be achieved through two methods: Citizenship by birth (the person is born a citizen): a) Law of blood: The person is born of a U.S. citizen; best determined through the mother. b) Law of soil: The person is born on U.S. soil, which includes persons born on U.S. military installations outside the U.S. Citizenship by naturalization: The person completes the naturalization process established by the U.S. Congress.

4 The Naturalization Process The naturalization process requires that eligible applicants: a) Be of good moral character b) Read, write and speak English c) Demonstrate basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.

5 Obligations and Responsibilities of Citizenship A stable society depends on citizens fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities of citizenship. Obligations include those actions that citizens are required to undertake by law. Responsibilities include those actions that citizens should take for the common good. Civic (citizen) participation impacts society, politics and government by shaping the public s expectations of government and the social contract (see Benchmark 1.1).

6 Obligations of Citizenship Obligation Obey laws Pay taxes Meaning Legislatures and chief executives are elected by citizens in a democracy who are elected to represent citizen interests. Courts interpret whether these laws cohere to the U.S. Constitution. Citizens and non-citizens alike are obligated to obey laws whether they agree with them or not. Citizens and non-citizens who choose not to obey the laws may be prosecuted for their crimes; non-citizens who choose not to obey the laws may also be deported. Taxes support government functions and government services (see Benchmark 3.14). Tax laws are enacted the same as any other legislative process (see Benchmark 3.8).

7 Obligations of Citizenship Obligation Defend the nation (includes Selective Service). Serve on juries Meaning Swear allegiance to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the United States against all enemies. Selective service is a system by which men (both citizens and resident aliens) ages 18 through 25 register with the U.S. government for military service. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides for a trial by jury in most cases as follows: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed Citizens who have reached age 18 may be called upon to serve on juries.

8 Responsibilities of Citizenship Responsibility Voting Attending civic meetings Meaning Citizens have a responsibility for selecting public officials who will represent their interests in government. Civic meetings are ways for citizens to be active participants in their government. Interest groups, political parties, candidates for public office, religious organizations, the media and public officials hold civic meetings in order to inform and learn from the public.

9 Responsibilities of Citizenship Responsibility Petitioning government Meaning The right of individuals to come together with others and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests. This includes the right to assemble in public places, and the right to join an association. Peaceable assembly is also understood as freedom of association (see Benchmark 2.4). The right of individuals to express themselves must be balanced against the need to maintain public order (see Benchmark 2.5). Running for office People are protected when they bring to the government s attention their unresolved concerns, provide information to political leaders about unpopular policies and issues, and expose government misconduct. Running for or being appointed to serve in public office as well as serving in public office

10 Comparing Forms of Government There are multiple factors that contribute to how we understand governments. One approach is to consider the form of government which is also understood as the structure of government. All governments, no matter their structure (or form) enjoy three powers (legislative, executive, judicial). It is the way that those powers are organized that determines the form of government.

11 Forms of Government: Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy Form of Government Explanation Example Direct Democracy Representative Democracy Direct democracy represents decisions where citizens pass laws directly, without using representatives. Direct democracy is practiced through the initiative, which allows citizens to place proposals on the ballot that become law if a majority of the electorate votes in favor. The referendum is a form of initiative where voters may accept or reject proposals/laws made by their representatives but does not permit citizens to make their own proposals. A representative democracy (also known as a republic) is an independent government ruled by representatives of the citizens of a nation. In representative democracies, all citizens have the right to vote and the government's power is limited by a constitution. Switzerland Florida s constitutional amendment process Ghana

12 Forms of Government: Socialism and Communism Form of Government Explanation Example Socialism (see Benchmark 2.8) Communism A socialist form of government is a government where most property and resources are owned or controlled by the public or the government. Socialism usually refers to an economic system based on a property based economy protected by the government but where the government takes an active role in the economy and is responsible for broad economic planning in the long term. Communism is a form of government where all property is owned by the community as a whole and where all people are entitled to equal social and economic status. The ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels suggest that all history can be explained in terms of class struggles. Communism minimizes the class struggle because every person has an equal economic share. Venezuela Cuba

13 Forms of Government: Monarchy and Oligarchy Form of Government Explanation Example Monarchy Oligarchy In a monarchy, power is held by a single person whose right to rule is based on birth (that person is born into a family of kings and queens) and who has the power to remain in office for life. The power of a monarch may vary; there are absolute monarchies (a type of autocracy) and constitutional monarchies, where the monarch is strongly limited by a constitution that outlines a rule of law. Oligarchy means the rule of the few, and those few are generally the rich in the society. People who rule in oligarchies may be elected, born into their positions, or may have a certain amount of money or land which entitles them to be a part of the ruling group. Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and taught to inherit the power of the oligarchy, often at some sort of expense to those who are governed. Spain (constitutional monarchy) Brunei (absolute monarchy) Iran

14 Forms of Government: Autocracy Form of Government Explanation Example Autocracy Autocracy is a form of government where one person has unlimited power. One form of an autocracy is a dictatorship where a military leader secures power often through violent means. Another form of autocracy is an absolute monarchy where a person becomes the sole leader of a country by being born into a family of rulers. Dictators can come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected, be appointed by the ruling party, or inherit their position. Some modern dictators take power using violence and are supported by the military. North Korea

15 Comparing Government Systems: Unitary and Federal System of Government Definition The Role of the Citizen in Selecting Political Leaders Unitary a system of government where almost all power is located with the central government None; in unitary systems, the head of the government comes to power through heredity/birth or military leadership. Federal A system of government where power is shared between a central government and states Citizens elect legislators, executives and some judges through direct elections.

16 Comparing Government System: Parliamentary and Confederal System of Government Definition Role of the Citizen in Selecting Political Leaders Parliamentary a system of government where power lies with the legislative body and the leader of the country is part of the legislature Citizens elect political leaders indirectly through political parties. In these types of elections, citizens express their party preference, and the party chooses who will represent that party in the government. Confederal a system of government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government Citizens elect legislators, executives and some judges through direct elections.

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19 Sample Item 20 SS.7.C.3.1 Content Focus Forms of Government What do an absolute monarchy and an autocracy have in common? A. a single ruler* B. a written constitution C. a national court system D. a single legislative house

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