Civics ch 1, 2, 3 review Flashcards
What is civics and citizenship
- The rights and responsibilities of citizens
- How decisions are made and who makes them
- Ways that we can act for the common good in our communities at the local, national and global level
why do we study civics
-To find out how our government works
-Identify your personal beliefs and values about how we participate in society
-Practice basic citizenship skills
government
a system by which a group of people makes the laws (principles and regulations) that are enforced to guide the affairs of a community
rights
privileges recognized and protected by law
responsibilities
tasks or duties that an individual has
common good
the well being of people in a community or society in terms of justice, fairness, prosperity, and respect for human rights and the environment.
citizen
a person who lives in a city, town or country and who is legally allowed to have the rights and freedoms of the place in which he or she lives.
What are 3 things people can do if they disagree with the government
-Contact government representatives
-Gather support from other citizens
-Form or join organizations that oppose a law or action
What is the Rule of Law?
The principle that government and all people must obey the law
Direct vs representative democracy
Direct Democracy: government in which all citizens directly participate in decision making without representatives
Representative Democracy is: a democracy in which citizens periodically elect others to represent them in government
what is the idle no more movement
-The Idle No More movement started in 2012 by four women from Saskatchewan: Jessica Gordon, Sylvia McAdam, Sheelah McLean, and Nina Wilson
-For women were concerned that Canada’s legislation would cause the government to diminish the authority and rights of Indigenous communities
-The law would also make it easier for the federal government to extract resources from indigenous territories without consent, nor environmental assessment
-The movement gained supporters across Canada, in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan
what did idle no more movement do for the aboriginal communities
-encourage Aboriginal communities to become more involved
in addressing social and economic issues
-increase awareness about Aboriginal peoples and
environmental laws
-demonstrate how social media can be used as a powerful tool
for civic action
community can be defined as
-fosters a sense of belonging and is based on something in common
-includes a sense of safety, support, and responsibility to others
-involves a shared identity
-creates a sense of common place
3 benefits of a community
-Unite members and provide a feeling of belonging
-Can connect its members to a diversity of cultures, traditions, values, and perspectives
-Provide better quality of life when communities are well designed for walkability, housing, and more.
civic action + why is it important
when people come together to work towards creating a positive change in their community through actions.
important because: it strengthens community, makes communities more supportive, solves problems and prevents harm
political significance
is the effect that a policy, issue, or event has on people’s lives.
democracy
-gives everyone a say, but it is not perfect.
-from a government in which laws are made by direct vote of the citizens by a vote of the elected representative of the citizens
-the rule of people
common elements in democracies
-The right to vote
-Everyone deserves equitable treatment
-Everyone is equal under the law
-Elections are free from violence
-Everyone has freedom, belief, thought, and expression
-Everyone’s vote counts the same amount
-Everyone has the right to dignity and privacy
-The government listens to its citizens
-Citizens have the right to criticize government
-Citizens have the responsibility to be informed, active participants
