Why It Matters

Our Declaration of Independence proclaims that

“all men are created equal.” This does not mean that
everyone is born with the same wealth, intelligence,
strength, or ambition. Each one of us has a unique
combination of qualities and characteristics. The
words of the Declaration mean that all people should
have equal rights, which is the cornerstone of the
democratic ideal.

4
 Chapter Audio

As American citizens, we make a commitment to

the nation and to the values and principles that
are part of United States democracy. In addition to
the common values and civic unity, the United States
benefits from its rich diversity.

Citizens possess certain rights. With citizenship,

Americans also have certain responsibilities. In the
United States, there are two ways to become a citizen: by
birth and by a process called naturalization.

People form governments to establish order, provide

security, and accomplish common goals. Democratic
governments perform necessary functions so citizens can
live together peacefully.
Jorge and Carlos
Urbina, and others,
take the oath of
allegiance to become
American citizens

Make the following

Foldable to help you compare information about citizenship and government
in a democracy.

Chapter 1
 Section Audio Spotlight Video

The Diversity of
Americans
Real World Civics

(p. 7)
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(p. 10)
(p. 11)

(p. 12)
(p. 13)
Stacey Brayboy and Alvin Anderson prepare to
canvass a neighborhood in Miami, Florida.
(p. 8)
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 Civics is the study of the rights and duties
of citizens. The concept of citizenship dates
Civics is the study of the rights and
back more than 2,500 years to ancient Greece
duties of citizens.
and Rome. In those days, only a few people
As an American citizen, did you know could be citizens. Only men with property R
you have certain rights as well as responsibilities? possessed the right to vote and to take part
Read to find out what it means to be a citizen of in government.
a country. Today gender and wealth are no longer
requirements for citizenship. Indeed, most
people are citizens of the country in which

When Americans vote or serve on a jury,

they live. Citizens have certain rights and
duties. They are community members who
their actions are based on ideas that people owe loyalty to the government and are enti-
had in the fourth century b.c. In examining tled to protection from it.
how people act, Greek philosopher Aristotle However, being a citizen means much
wrote: more than just living in a country. American
citizens who live abroad are still citizens of
If liberty and equality, as is the United States. Citizens are a part of a
thought by some, are chiefly country. They may share a common history,
to be found in democracy, they common customs, or common beliefs. They
will be best attained when C agree to follow a set of rules and to accept the
all persons alike share in the government’s authority.
government to the utmost.
Explaining

Native Americans from Taos, New Mexico, perform a dance that represents one
of their cultural traditions. Discussing How do you think diversity has influenced our
nation and its culture?
 values and experiences. More than 300 mil-
lion people live in the United States today.
All of us are descendants from families that
American society has undergone immigrated at one time or another. Most
many changes in the past, and these changes scholars believe that even the first Native
continue today. D Americans arrived here thousands of years
What would make you want to move ago by crossing over a “land bridge” that
to a new place? Read on to find out why people immi- once connected Asia and North America.
grated to the Americas.

Until the mid-1900s, most immigrants came

R from Europe. The first Europeans to settle
O n the back of every American coin, you permanently in North America arrived from
will find the Latin words E pluribus unum, Spain during the 1500s. They lived in what is
meaning “Out of many, one.” This phrase now Florida, California, and the Southwest.
reminds us that the many diverse, or differ- By the time the United States won its inde-
ent, citizens of the United States have joined pendence from England, the Spanish had
together to make a single, strong nation. For founded Tucson, Albuquerque, San Antonio,
all our differences, we are linked by shared and San Diego.

Calculating

Calculating

Chapter 1
 Beginning in the
1600s, people from France and England
came to North America. The French settled
primarily in Canada, but they also clustered
around the Mississippi River. English immi-
grants settled mainly along the east coast of
North America, creating the thirteen colonies
that became the United States. During the
late 1600s and the 1700s, immigrants from
Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland,
and Sweden joined these English settlers.
After the United
States gained its independence, it became
known throughout Europe as a land of prom-
ise. The number of immigrants grew from
600,000 in the 1830s to more than 2 million by R1 Until the mid-1900s most
the 1850s. Between 1860 and 1890, more than American immigrants came from Europe. Today the
10 million Europeans—many of them from largest numbers of immigrants, like these girls taking
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—streamed part in the Latino celebration of Cinco de Mayo in
New York City, have come from Spanish-speaking
into this country.
countries. Speculating Why do people from other
Another flood of countries want to live in the United States?
immigrants—about 22 million—reached our
shores between 1890 and 1924. Most of them
came from southern and eastern Europe,
from countries such as Italy, Greece, Poland,
and Russia. The American population is extraordi-
During the past 50 years, immigration from narily diverse in terms of ethnic, or racial, R2
Europe to the United States has lagged far backgrounds. Many Americans today do not
behind immigration from the rest of the identify themselves as members of a single
world. Asia now accounts for the largest ethnic group. However, whites of European
share of foreign newcomers, followed by descent number more than 234 million. There
Latin America. are about 37 million African Americans, over
12 million Asians and Pacific Islanders, and
Among the early im- almost 2.8 million Native Americans. More
migrants to America were some who did not than 39 million people are Latinos—people
come willingly. Western and central Africans of any race who trace their ancestry to the
were taken by force from their homes, Spanish-speaking countries of the Western
shipped across the Atlantic Ocean, and sold Hemisphere.
as slaves in the Caribbean Islands and North C
and South America. Between 1619 and 1808, Our ethnic diversity
before it became illegal to bring enslaved is matched by religious diversity. More than
persons into the United States, some 500,000 200 million people practice some form of
people were brought to the country in this Christianity. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and
way. Most African Americans today are many other religious groups are also free to
descendants of enslaved persons. Others are worship according to their conscience. Those
immigrants from various countries in Africa who do not practice any religion are equally
and the Caribbean region. at home here.

Chapter 1
Name Class Date

SCHOOL-TO-HOME CONNECTION 1
 As people with different cities attracted workers. Many of those mov-
beliefs and backgrounds have made lives ing to the cities found work in newly opened
for themselves in the United States, many of factories. These workers became known as
their “old country” traditions have become blue-collar workers. Others found jobs in
part of the American culture. The American offices, schools, stores, and other nonfactory
culture is a rich blend of varied influences. settings and were called white-collar work-
ers. By 1920 more than half of all Americans
lived in towns or cities.
Another significant change was the shift to
Between 1830 and 1930, the nation’s popu- service industry jobs. In the past few decades,
lation grew from about 12 million people to manufacturing has lost ground to what we
D about 120 million people. About 40 million of call the “service economy.” Many Americans
those new Americans were immigrants. now earn a living by providing services—
Over the years, the American population practicing law or medicine, programming
has changed in many ways. In the mid-1800s, computers, teaching, and so forth. There are
also more women and at-home workers in
C for example, people began moving from rural
areas to cities. The higher wages paid in the the labor force than ever before.

Africa
Asia
Australia & Oceania
Europe
Canada and Middle America
South America
United States

Analyzing

Identifying

Chapter 1
 Leveled Activities

Americans enjoy foods, music, sports, and holiday traditions brought

to the United States by immigrants from around the world. This Chicago parade marks
the Chinese New Year. Analyzing Why is it important for American citizens to share
cultural traditions?

The places where we live are changing

too. For example, shortly after the Civil
War, African Americans, freed from slavery,
headed for northern cities, seeking jobs and
a new way of life. The result was a migration,
Americans share key values, and
or mass movement, of African Americans
these values are reflected in the important institu-
from the South to the North. For much of our
tions of American life.
history, the Northeast was the most populous
part of the country. Today, the South claims What do you think makes a person
that distinction, and the population there an American? Read to find out about the values we
and in the West is growing faster than in any share and how they have shaped the character of the
other regions. American people.
The population is changing in other ways,
C
including the following:
• The average age of citizens is climbing
E
ven though American society is more
diverse than ever, certain shared ideas help
upward as people live longer and have unite Americans of different backgrounds.
fewer children. Two of these important ideas are our values
• Record numbers of Americans are now and our institutions.
earning college and graduate degrees.
• Latinos, commonly referred to as
Hispanic Americans, are the fastest-
Do you agree with most of your classmates
growing ethnic group.
on what is good and what is bad? The gen-
Indeed, if current patterns continue, eral principles, or beliefs, you use to make
Latinos and other minority groups, taken as these judgments are your values. Values are W
a whole, will soon be in the majority. broad ideas about what is good or desirable,
and are shared by people in a society. Values
Summarizing are important because they influence the way
we act.

Chapter 1
 In this image, cartoonist
Steve Breen is making a
point about the composi-
tion of American society.
1. What does the flag
represent?
2. What does the magni-
fied section of the flag
reveal?
3. Taken together, what
do the caption and the
image say about immi-
grants in America?

rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap-

piness” are in these founding documents.
Everyone’s list of basic American values
So are such values as popular sovereignty
will include different ideas. However, some
(government by consent of the governed)
values would appear on almost every list.
through
These include freedom, equality, opportunity,
justice, democracy, unity, respect, and toler- • fair, free, and regular elections;
ance. Some of these values, such as equality • equal justice under the law;
and opportunity, and respect and tolerance, • majority rule through the people’s rep-
are linked. Can you think of other values to resentatives in government.
include on this list?
A second significant source of unity is a
R1
single language, English, which generally
is accepted as the primary means of com-
Another important effect of having a set munication in education, government, and
of shared values is the unity it builds among business. Americans are free to speak any
Americans. For example, one very important language. However, some people think that
source of American unity is a common civic R2 the United States is strengthened by the com-
and political heritage based on the country’s mon and public use of one language, which
founding documents. These key documents can be used by diverse groups of Americans
include the Declaration of Independence, to communicate freely with one another. Can
the U.S. Constitution of 1787, and the Bill of you think of other values that have helped
Rights of 1791. American ideals of individual unite Americans throughout history?

Chapter 1
 The different parts of our government are
also institutions. Governmental institutions
Each society has its own social institutions.
were created, and have developed over time,
These are not buildings or places but sets of
based on important shared American values.
ideas that people have about relationships,
As Abraham Lincoln explained in his first
obligations, roles, and functions. As in every
Inaugural Address in 1861:
society, the most important institution in
American life is the family. The family is
the core of social life: it produces new gen- This country, with its
erations, socializes the young, offers care and institutions, belongs to
affection, and provides economic support. the people who inhabit
Parents and caregivers are also transmitters it. Whenever they shall
of values, both personal and national, to their grow weary of the existing C
children. government, they can
Other important institutions in American exercise their constitutional
life, which also reflect our nation’s shared right of amending it, or
values, are religious, educational, and social. their revolutionary right to
Religious institutions, such as churches, tem- dismember, or overthrow it.
ples, and mosques, can promote social unity
and provide a sense of meaning and belong-
ing. Educational institutions at all levels reflect With these words, Lincoln underscored the
our society’s culture, history, and learning, most important concept of American govern-
create a common identity, and promote per- ment: the people, not the government, are in
sonal growth and development. Social insti- control.
tutions, such as clubs and volunteer service
organizations, can be another way we share Identifying
our common values.

Define the following terms and What do you think

use them correctly in sentences: is the most important source of Expository Writing Review the
civics, citizenship, citizen, service American unity? Explain your discussion of values in this
economy, value, popular sover- answer. section. Is there a value not
eignty, institution. listed that you think should
Sequencing On a diagram
be included? What is it? Why
similar to the one below, iden- would you include it?
tify the period when various
ethnic groups immigrated to
Describing What do people of a
the United States.
nation share as citizens?
Study CentralTM
Explaining What impact do
American values have on
society?

Chapter 1
 Section Audio Spotlight Video

Who Are America’s

Citizens?
Real World Civics

U.S. Navy sailor Hugston Brooks

 If you were born in any of the 50 states
or the District of Columbia, you automati-
In the United States, there are two
cally became an American citizen at birth.
ways to become a citizen: by birth and by a process
The same is true if you were born outside
called naturalization.
the country but in American territory, such
What should people who want to as Puerto Rico or Guam, or on a U.S. military
become U.S. citizens know about our country? Read to base overseas. Even if you were born else- R
find out about the process of becoming a citizen. where, you could still claim American citi-
zenship if your parents are both citizens or if
one is a citizen who has lived in the United
Y ou learned that citizens are community States. Children born on American soil to
members who owe loyalty to the govern- non-U.S. citizens also acquire U.S. citizen-
ment and are entitled to protection from it. ship at birth.
Every country has rules about how people Americans may hold dual citizenship. This
gain citizenship. The U.S. Constitution estab- means that they enjoy rights in the United
lishes two ways to become a citizen: by birth States and in another country. For example, a
and, for foreign-born people who choose to child born abroad to American parents may W
become citizens, by a legal process called be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the
naturalization. country of his or her birth.

Both native-born and naturalized citizens can vote in America.

In his room at Camp Eagle in Baghdad, Iraq, U.S. Army Sergeant George Scheufele fills out
an absentee ballot for a presidential election. Defining U.S. citizens are encouraged to
vote. Is this more a right or responsibility of citizenship? Explain.
 sign a statement saying just that. This Dec-
laration of Intention is then filed with the
Several million noncitizens, or aliens, live
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
in the United States. Some come to study,
(USCIS), an agency of the national govern-
to work, or to visit relatives. They remain
ment. For most aliens, the next step comes
C citizens of their own countries and eventu- after living in the United States at least five
ally return home. Other aliens plan to settle
years. (Aliens who are married to citizens
here and become naturalized citizens. More
wait only three years.) During this time, many
than half a million immigrants—people who
immigrants take special classes to prepare for
move permanently to a new country—gain
citizenship. Then, if they are at least 18 years
American citizenship each year.
old and have lived for at least three months
Aliens who want in the state where they seek naturalization,
to become United States citizens must first they may file an application for citizenship.

After the
President George W. Bush paperwork is checked, the alien has an inter-
poses with new American citizens at their swearing in view with a USCIS official. Agency officials
on Ellis Island, New York. Reviewing What are the
want to be sure the alien meets the necessary
steps that aliens must take to become citizens of
the United States? requirements and is of good moral charac-
ter. The applicant must also take a citizen-
ship exam that consists of questions about
reading, writing, and speaking English and
basic facts about the history and government
of the United States. Afterward, the USCIS
makes its decision.

If the application is
granted, the final step in naturalization is
attending a ceremony and pledging an oath
of allegiance. The alien swears to be loyal
to this country above all others, to obey the
Constitution and other laws, and to perform
military or other duties if needed. Then the
person signs a document and is declared a
citizen of the United States. If he or she has
children under 18, they automatically become
D naturalized citizens, too.

For a long time, most

Native Americans were excluded from cit-
izenship. A few groups became citizens
through treaties with the federal govern-
ment. Later, Congress offered citizenship to
individual Native Americans who gave up
their traditional culture. Not until 1924 did
Congress make all Native Americans citizens
of the United States.
 Whether they are naturalized or native-
born, most Americans keep their citizenship

M
forever. Only the federal government can
both grant citizenship and take it away. State
governments can deny, or refuse, a convicted
criminal some of the privileges of citizen-
ship, such as voting, but they do not have
R1 the power to deny citizenship itself. R2
The government may strip naturalized
citizens of citizenship if it was improperly
obtained, or gained. Citizens can lose citizen-
ship in three ways: through denaturalization,
through expatriation, or by being convicted
of certain crimes. Native-born U.S. citizens
can lose citizenship only through their own
actions and cannot be denaturalized.
The loss of citizenship
through fraud or deception during the natu-
ralization process is called denaturalization.
For example, former Nazis who engaged in
war crimes during World War II and later
lied about their wartime activities were
denaturalized after they entered the United
States or when they applied for citizenship.
The simplest way to lose
citizenship is through expatriation, or giv-
ing up one’s citizenship by leaving one’s
native country to live in a foreign country.
Expatriation may be voluntary or involun-
tary. For example, a person who becomes a
naturalized citizen of another country auto-
matically loses his or her American citizen-
ship. Involuntary expatriation would occur
in the case of a child whose parents become
citizens of another country.
A person may
lose citizenship when convicted of certain
federal crimes that involve extreme disloy-
alty. These crimes include treason, participa-
tion in a rebellion, and attempts to overthrow Team Panda members
the government through violent means.

Summarizing

Chapter 1
 member of Congress put it. The new policy
benefits people with particular skills, talents,
or the money to invest in our economy.
Even though the United States con-
trols the admission of aliens to this country, each
year millions of people enter America illegally.
Despite immigration limits, more than 12
Why do you think so many people million aliens are living in the United States
want to come to the United States? Read to find out illegally. Some were refused permission to
why our country is such a magnet to people around immigrate; others never applied for permis-
the world. sion because they feared a long, slow process
or being turned down.
Illegal aliens come to the United States in
The United States restricts the number a variety of ways. A few enter the country as
R of immigrants who can enter the country. temporary visitors but never leave. Others
Millions apply, but only about one million risk arrest by illegally crossing our borders
are admitted each year. Traditionally, the with Mexico and Canada. Other illegal aliens
relatives of U.S. citizens and people with are foreigners who have stayed in the United
needed job skills receive the highest prior- States after their legal permits expired.
ity, or first consideration. Family members Whatever the method, the reason is usu-
still get special consideration, but because of ally the same. “I came for work and for a
the Immigration Act of 1990, emphasis has better life,” explained one Mexican immi-
shifted toward welcoming “those who want grant. Yet illegal aliens often have a difficult
to work and produce and contribute,” as one time in the United States. Many have no

A U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service agent searches a Mexican

fishing boat for people who may be entering the country illegally. Discussing Why do
people enter the United States illegally?
friends or family here, no place to live, and as long as they wish without becoming
no sure way to earn money. It is against the American citizens. A nonresident alien is a
law to hire illegal aliens, and those who do person from a foreign country who expects
find work usually receive little pay and no to stay in the United States for a short, speci-
benefits. Every day they live with the fear fied period. A Turkish journalist who has
that government officials will discover and come to report on a presidential election is an
deport them—send them back to their own example of a nonresident alien. Refugees are
countries. another category. Refugees are people fleeing
The United States Border Patrol is the law- S their country to escape persecution.
enforcement unit of the USCIS. Its primary Aliens who have entered the United States
responsibility is to detect and prevent the legally lead lives much like those of American
illegal entry of aliens into the United States. citizens. Aliens may hold jobs, own property,
The Border Patrol guards the 6,000 miles of attend public schools, and receive other gov-
Mexican and Canadian international land ernment services. They pay taxes and are
borders and 2,000 miles of coastal waters entitled to legal protection.
surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the Aliens do not have full political rights,
island of Puerto Rico. however. They may not vote in elections or
run for office. They may not serve on juries
or work in most government jobs. In addi-
United States law classifies aliens into dif- tion, unlike U.S. citizens, aliens must carry
ferent categories. A resident alien is a person identification cards at all times.
from a foreign country who has established
permanent residence in the United States. Contrasting
Resident aliens may stay in the United States

Explain how each of the follow- Synthesizing If you were a

ing terms relates to citizenship government official, how would Descriptive Writing Interview an
in the United States: naturaliza- you prevent illegal aliens from American who became a citizen
tion, alien, immigrant, deport. entering the United States? through the naturalization pro-
cess. Write a one-page paper in
On a chart like which you answer these ques-
the one below, list the sequence tions: What reasons brought
of steps in the naturalization him or her to the United States?
Explaining What is dual citizen-
process. Why did he or she want to
ship? How can an American
obtain dual citizenship? become an American citizen?
Analyzing Why do you think
the United States puts a limit on
the number of immigrants who
Study CentralTM
may enter the country?

Chapter 1
 Section Audio Spotlight Video

Government
and the People
Real World Civics

Ranger Clay Parcels leads a group through the Fiery

Furnace of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.
 the 1600s, believed that without government,
life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish,
and short.” If each of us could do just as he
or she pleased, fighting probably would be
common, and survival would depend on
The different levels of government
strength and skill.
provide many different services.
Think about trying to play basketball with
When was the last time a govern- no rules or referees. The game would proba-
ment provided you with a service? Read to find out bly be a chaotic free-for-all. Similarly, if there
how local, state, and national governments serve the were no government to make and enforce
public. laws, we would live in a state of confusion,
D
violence, and fear. Government can make it
possible for people to live together peace-
A government is the ruling authority for fully and productively.
a community, or society. Any organization
that has the power to make and enforce, or
carry out, laws and decisions for its members R
acts as a government. The most important purpose of a govern-
For hundreds of years, people have ment is to provide laws, or rules of conduct.
formed governments. The earliest Native These laws help prevent conflicts between C
Americans had tribal councils. Thomas individuals, groups, or nations and help
Hobbes, an English political thinker during settle any conflicts that do occur.

This fire station protects the community and also serves as a place
where these citizens can cast their votes in their neighborhoods. Identifying What other
types of public services does government provide?
 Governments
provide many services that would not be
available otherwise. Governments create and
manage libraries, schools, hospitals, parks,
and recreation centers. Government workers
build and repair streets, erect bridges, collect
garbage, and deliver the mail.
Many government services are aimed at
keeping the public healthy and safe. Local
communities set up fire departments and
ambulance services. States license drivers
and doctors. Other government agencies
protect us from dangerous medicines and
R spoiled food. Government inspectors check
for safety problems in everything from facto-
ries to amusement park rides.
Governments also give help to needy peo-
ple. For example, in each of the 50 states, poor
families and people who are out of work can
receive food, aid, or cash. Government agen-
cies also supply affordable housing, health
Classifying
care, job training, and special programs for
people with disabilities.

Explaining
Another func-
tion of government is to formulate public
policy, or a course of government action to
achieve community goals. When government
leaders decide they want to protect consum-
Conflicts are unavoidable ers, for example, or strengthen national
when people live together in a community. security, they are setting public policy goals.
Governments make laws to help prevent When they pass laws or develop guidelines
conflicts and to settle those conflicts that do to reach these goals, they are making public
arise. policy.
Governments have the power to enforce
Most public policy decisions involve
the laws. For example, to make sure that driv-
S financial planning. Governments have lim-
ers obey traffic regulations, police officers
ited amounts of money, and they must use
are empowered to ticket or arrest violators.
it wisely. Creating a budget, or a plan for
Courts decide whether those accused of
collecting and spending money, is key to the
crimes are guilty and how they should be
success of the community.
punished if found guilty.
Another part of guiding the community is
Along with the need for developing relations with the community’s
law and order come concerns about commu- neighbors and other outsiders. Governments
nity security—defending citizens and their often take responsibility for communicating
land from enemies. For this reason, govern- and cooperating with other governments on
ments set up armed forces and agencies that matters of trade, travel, and military agree-
watch for likely sources of trouble. ments for the benefit of their citizens.

Chapter 1
 Many levels of government exist, each rep-
resenting a particular collection of people. The people are the ultimate rulers of
Each of the 50 states has its own government; democratic countries, while in totalitarian states, a
so do most counties, cities, and towns. The single person or small group holds all the power.
students in your school may have their own
student government. Did you know there is more than
one type of democracy? Read to find out about other
Although each kinds of democracies.
of the above is a government, when most
people talk about “the government,” they
are talking about the national government—
the government of an entire country. In the The foundations of democracy are more
United States, the national government is than 2,500 years old. Democracy began in
made up of three branches of government. the ancient Greek city of Athens. Athens had
These branches are the legislative, the execu- a direct democracy—all the citizens met to C
tive, and the judicial branches. A national debate government matters and vote first-
government is different from other levels of hand. Direct democracy is not practical for
government in two important ways. most countries today because of their large
First, a national government has the high- areas and populations.
est level of authority over its citizens. A city D
or state government cannot make any laws Government inspectors regularly check
that would go against the laws of the national R amusement park rides to ensure that they meet safety
government. The national government, how- requirements. Identifying In what other ways does
ever, has the power to make whatever laws the government protect your health and safety?
it feels would benefit the country. Second,
a national government provides the basic
framework for citizenship.

The
national government makes and enforces
laws for the entire country. Each state decides
matters for the people in that state.
The level of government closest to
Americans is local government. Local gov-
ernments include counties, cities, and towns.
Your school may have a student government,
and if you choose to belong to a club like Girl
Scouts or 4-H, you respect that organization’s
governing body, too.
However, state and local governments, as
well as governments of organizations, can-
not take actions that go against the laws and
authority of the national government.

Describing
 Many countries have with a hereditary ruler—a king, queen, or
a representative democracy instead. The other royal figure who inherits this position
citizens choose a smaller group to repre- of power. In most countries with monarchs,
sent them, make laws, and govern on their the power of the hereditary ruler is limited
behalf. For most Americans today, the terms by the country’s constitution and laws.
C representative democracy, republic, and con- Modern constitutional monarchies gener-
stitutional republic mean the same thing: a ally follow democratic practices. The mon-
system of limited government in which the archs are heads of state only, presiding at
people are the ultimate source of govern- ceremonies and serving as symbols of unity.
mental power. The United States is the oldest The queen of Great Britain and the emperor
representative democracy in the world. of Japan are two examples of constitutional
monarchs.
Another kind
D of democracy is the constitutional monarchy.
The word monarchy describes a government
Abraham Lincoln described our democ-
racy as a “government of the people, by the
people, for the people.” His words make
three important points. First, the power of the
government comes from the citizens. Second,
Americans themselves, acting through their
representatives, run their government. Third,
the purpose of the government is to make the
United States a better place for those who
live here.
All genuine
democracies have free, fair, and competitive
elections. Everyone’s vote must carry the
same weight. This principle is often expressed
in the phrase “one person, one vote.” All can-
didates have the right to express their views
freely to the public, and citizens are free to
support any candidate or issue.
The legal requirements for voting must be
kept to a minimum. For example, our voting
laws center on age, residence, and citizenship,
while other factors, such as wealth, race, and
ethnic and religious background, cannot be
used to restrict voting. Finally, citizens may
vote freely by secret ballot, without fearing
punishment for their voting decisions.

Identifying

Explaining
Student Web Activity

Chapter 1
 Explaining

Comparing

Competitive elec-
tions and competing political parties are an
important element in democracies. A political might turn their anger against Muslims in
party is a group of individuals with broad, the United States. He explained that Islam is
common interests who organize to support a peaceful religion and urged Americans to
candidates for office and determine public treat Muslim Americans fairly.
policy. Competing political parties give vot-
ers a choice among candidates. Also, parties
out of power serve as watchdogs of parties In democratic regimes, the people rule. In
in power. authoritarian regimes, power is held by an
Another principle of our individual or a group not accountable to the
democracy is majority rule. French philoso- people.
pher Jean-Jacques Rousseau promoted this Until about the 1600s,
idea in the late 1700s. According to this prin- monarchs were mostly absolute monarchs.
ciple, citizens agree that when differences of That is, they had unlimited authority to rule
opinion arise, they will abide by what most as they wished. Many countries still have C
people want. At the same time, they respect monarchs, but absolute monarchy is almost
the rights of those in the minority. nonexistent today. In the Middle East, how-
Respect for minority rights is sometimes ever, the king of Saudi Arabia and the emir
difficult, though, especially if society is under of Qatar might still be considered “absolute.”
a great deal of stress. For example, after the R Their power is technically unrestricted, D
terrorist attacks of 2001, President George although they do consult with advisers and
W. Bush realized that many Americans are constrained, or bound, by Islamic law.

Chapter 1
 Another form of authoritar- Many dictators impose
ian government is a dictatorship. Dictators, totalitarian rule on their people. In a
like absolute monarchs, exercise complete totalitarian state, the government’s control
control over the state. Unlike absolute mon- extends to almost all aspects of people’s lives.
archs, who usually acquire their power Totalitarian leaders ban political opposition.
through inheritance, dictators usually take They regulate what industries and farms
power by force. At times, when a crisis situ- produce. They suppress individual freedom,
ation demands a strong leader, authorities dictating what people should believe and
may place them in charge. To stay in power, with whom they may interact. The people
most dictators rely on the police and military. lack the power to limit their rulers.
They often tamper with elections or refuse W To enforce their ideology, or ideas about
to hold them. They also limit freedoms of life and society, totalitarian leaders control
speech, assembly, and the press. the media and use propaganda, scare tactics,
Scores of dictators have ruled throughout and violence. Three of the most notorious
history. Those who seek only personal gain totalitarian regimes arose in the 1920s and
are often overthrown quickly. With the help 1930s. They were Nazi Germany under Adolf
of the United States, Panamanian dictator Hitler, Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini,
Manuel Noriega was overthrown in 1989. and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin.
Other dictators endure for decades. Fidel Today, the nations of China, Cuba, and North
Castro led Cuba from 1959 until he retired in Korea are usually considered totalitarian
2008. Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq from 1979 states.
until he was overthrown in 2003. Hussein
was convicted of crimes against humanity Describing
and executed in 2007.

Analyzing Visuals Review the

Write complete sentences that What do you think principles of American democ-
demonstrate the meaning of would happen if there were no racy on page 24. How does the
each of the following terms: governments anywhere in the American government carry out
government, public policy, budget, world? Describe such a situa- the principle of consent of the
democracy, direct democracy, tion, then explain why govern- governed?
representative democracy, republic, ments are necessary.
monarchy, majority rule, Organizing On a diagram like
authoritarian, totalitarian. the one below, write the func- Descriptive Writing In a one-
tions of government. page essay, explain how you
think your life would be dif-
Identifying Name three public ferent if you were living in a
services that governments country ruled by a monarch.
provide.
Comparing What is the dif-
ference between rulers in a Study CentralTM
democracy and rulers in a
totalitarian state?

Chapter 1
 Yosemite National Park

School crossing guard

Official
ballot
 Keep daily notes to review for tests and examinations. It often helps you
retain information if you review your notes with a study partner.

6. Which value is part of Americans’ common civic

and political heritage?
Directions: Choose the word(s) that best completes the sentence.
A fair elections
1. are broad ideas about what is good and B volunteerism
desirable. C caring parents
A public policies C values D cultural education
B institutions D budgets

2. Government by consent of the governed is

7. Which person is NOT a United States citizen?
.
A a child born in Guam to Japanese parents
A community C naturalization
B a girl born in Yemen to an American mother
B majority rule D popular sovereignty
C a boy born in Illinois to Mexican parents
3. People from foreign countries who plan to stay D a child born in Great Britain to Irish parents
in the United States for a short time are called
. 8. What is the primary responsibility of the
A citizens C aliens National Border Patrol?
B immigrants D institutions A to deport aliens with expired visas
B to prevent illegal entry of aliens
4. The people are the ultimate source of
C to naturalize resident aliens
government power in a .
D to issue visas to legal aliens
A monarchy C republic
B dictatorship D totalitarian state
9. Which function of government do public
libraries fulfill?
Directions: Choose the best answer for each question. A keeping order
B providing public security
C providing services
5. Which is the fastest growing ethnic group in the
United States today? D guiding the community
A Native Americans
10. Which factor is a legal restriction on voting in
B African Americans the United States?
C European Americans A age
D Latino Americans B race
C wealth
D religion

Chapter 1
Directions: Base your answers to questions 11 and 12 on the chart below Directions: Analyze the following document and answer the short-
and your knowledge of Chapter 1. answer questions that follow.

Rule of Law The passage is from The Social Contract by Jean

All people, including those who govern, are Jacques Rousseau, the eighteenth-century
bound by the law. political theorist, who believed that real
democracy was impossible.
Limited Government
Government is not all powerful—it may do only Nothing is more dangerous than the influence of
those things that the people have given it the private interests on public a airs; and the abuse of
power to do. the laws by the government is a lesser evil than
the corruption of the legislator [lawmaker], which
Consent of the Governed is the infallible result of the pursuit of private
American citizens are the source of all govern- interests. For when the State is changed in its
mental power. substance all reform becomes impossible. A
Individual Rights people which would never abuse the government
In the American democracy, individual rights are would likewise never abuse its independence; a
protected by government. people which always governed well would not
need to be governed.
Representative Government
—Jean Jacques Rousseau
People elect leaders to make the laws and govern
on their behalf.
13. How might the corruption of a legislator who
11. Which principle of American democracy pursues his or her private interests endanger
prevents a president from serving more terms the democratic principle of majority rule? Give
than allowed in Amendment XXII of the an example.
Constitution? 14. What do you think Rousseau means by a
A rule of law government’s independence?
B limited government
C individual rights
15. Many American citizens confuse legal and
D representative government illegal aliens. Write a brief essay comparing
and contrasting the situations of illegal aliens
with that of resident aliens.
12. Which practice best reflects the principle of
representative government?
A serving on a jury
B voting for mayor
C writing to the editor
D polling public opinion

Chapter 1