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Preparing for Each Chapter. Outline chapter – i.e. chapter title and section headings Note key chapter terms in bold under their respective section Read (first and last sentence of )each paragraph for relevance
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Preparing for Each Chapter • Outline chapter – i.e. chapter title and section headings • Note key chapter terms in bold under their respective section • Read (first and last sentence of )each paragraph for relevance • Attend class and fill in additional information covered under respective section heading • Review outline/notes after each class • Ask questions as needed
Citizenship in Our Changing Democracy • Democracy– form of government in which the people rule either directly or through elected leaders (p.3) • Citizenship– Status conferring rights and protections to members of the political community but, in return, requiring allegiance and involvement (p.3)
Politics, Power, and Participation • Politics– The process by which we choose government officials and make decisions about public policy (p.3) • Civic Life – Participation in the collective life of the community (p.3) • Government – The body charged with making official policies for its citizens (p.3) • Civil Society – The broad array of voluntary associations that bring citizens together to deal with community and social issues of common concern (p.3) ; a.k.a. social capital = necessary ingredient in democracy
Types of Government (POLITICS) • Monarchy/dictatorship – single person absolute power • Representative democracy – form of government in which popular d.m. is restricted to electing or appointing the public officials who make public policy (p. 4) • Pure (direct) democracy – decision making done by entire citizenry *U.S. = representative democracy using majority rule & protections for minority rights
Ruling Elite Theory – View positing that wealthy and well-educated citizens exercise a disproportionate amount of influence over political decision making (p. 4 & 5) Pluralism– View positing that various groups and coalitions constantly vie for government favor and the ability to exercise political power but none enjoys long-term dominance (p.5) Political POWER (p.4)Modern U.S. = both theories
PARTICIPATIONand Democracy • Activecitizens essential to success of democracy (p.3) • Political participation – taking part in activities like voting, or running for office aimed at influencing the policies or leadership of government (p.9)
AMERICAN Political Ideals • Ideologies – Ideas, values and beliefs about how government should operate (p.7) • Liberal Democracy – Ideology stressing individual rights and expressing faith in popular control of government (p.7) • Three essential notions: 1) natural rights 2) formation of social contract by governed 3) majority rule
The Changing Face of the American Citizenry • Growing Diversity – land of immigrants • Growing Older – “graying of America” • Growing Apart – *SOCIAL CLASS (combo. of wealth, income, education and occupation) - now have “classlessness” - economic gap growing
The Future of Citizenship • Service Learning Programs • Social Capital • Civic Engagement *VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION IN “OUR” DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY