Civics Notes

CE.2

Fundamental political principles

 Consent of the governed—People are the source of any and all governmental power.
 Limited government—Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things
people have given it the power to do.
 Rule of law—The government and those who govern are bound by the law.
 Democracy—In a democratic system of government the people rule.
 Representative government—In a representative system of government people elect
public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.
 American constitutional government is founded on concepts articulated in earlier
documents, including the charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia
Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of
Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

Influence of earlier documents on the Constitution of the United States of America

 Charters of the Virginia Company of London
 Rights of Englishmen guaranteed to colonists
 The Virginia Declaration of Rights
 Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of
America
 Declaration of Independence
 Stated grievances against the king of Great Britain
 Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain
 Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
 Established the idea that all people are equal under the law
 Articles of Confederation
 Established the first form of national government for the independent states
 Maintained that major powers resided with individual states
 Weakness of central government (e.g., no power to tax and enforce laws)—Led to
the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
 Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions
 Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of Rights
 Establishes the structure of the United States government
 Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority
protected
 Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people
 Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and
petition
 The preamble of a constitution sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by
the government.
The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America expresses the reasons
the constitution was written.
Purposes of U.S. government
 To form a union
 To establish justice
 To ensure domestic peace
 To provide defense

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America begins, “We the
people,” which establishes that the power of government comes from the people.

CE.3

The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America defines citizenship: “All
persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
United States and the state wherein they reside.”

Means of obtaining citizenship

 Birth
 Naturalization

Immigration and naturalization, particularly in the twentieth century, have led to an increasingly diverse
society.

To become a citizen through naturalization, a person must demonstrate knowledge of American history and
principles and the ability to speak and write English.

First Amendment freedoms

 Religion—Government may not establish an official religion, nor endorse, or unduly interfere with the
free exercise of religion.
 Speech—Individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs.
 Press—The press has the right to gather and publish information, including that which criticizes the
government.
 Assembly—Individuals may peacefully gather.
Petition—Individuals have the right to make their views known to public officials.

Fourteenth Amendment
Extends the due process protection to actions of the states

Duties of responsible citizens

 Obey laws
 Pay taxes
 Serve in the armed forces if called
 Serve on a jury or as a witness in court

Citizens who choose not to fulfill these civic duties face legal consequences.
Civic responsibilities are fulfilled by choice; they are voluntary.

Responsibilities of citizens
 Register and vote
 Hold elective office
 Influence government by communicating with government officials
 Serve in voluntary, appointed positions
 Participate in political campaigns
 Keep informed regarding current issues
Respect others' rights to an equal voice in government

Ways for citizens to participate in community service

 Volunteer to support democratic institutions (e.g., League of Women Voters).
 Express concern about the welfare of the community as a whole (e.g., environment, public health and
safety, education).
Help to make the community a good place to work and live (e.g., by becoming involved with public
service organizations, tutoring, volunteering in nursing homes).

CE.4

Personal traits of good citizens

 Trustworthiness and honesty
 Courtesy and respect for the rights of others
 Responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance
 Respect for the law
Patriotism

CE.5

Functions of political parties

 Recruiting and nominating candidates
 Educating the electorate about campaign issues
 Helping candidates win elections
Monitoring actions of officeholders

Similarities between parties

 Organize to win elections
 Influence public policies
 Reflect both liberal and conservative views
 Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by appealing to the political center

Differences between parties

 Stated in a party's platform and reflected in campaigning

Third parties
 Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue
Often revolve around a political personality (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt)

Strategies for evaluating campaign speeches, literature, and advertisements for accuracy
 Separating fact from opinion
 Detecting bias
 Evaluating sources
 Identifying propaganda

Mass media roles in elections

 Identifying candidates
 Emphasizing selected issues
 Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces
Broadcasting different points of view
Rising campaign costs
 Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities
 Limit opportunities to run for public office
 Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office
 Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs)
 Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence

Campaign finance reform

 Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws.
Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns.

Only citizens who register can participate in primary and general elections.

Qualifications to register to vote in Virginia

 Citizen of the United States
 Resident of Virginia and precinct
 18 years of age by day of general election

How to register in Virginia

 In person at the registrar's office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites
 By mail application

Factors in predicting which citizens will vote

 Education
 Age
 Income

Why citizens fail to vote

 Lack of interest
Failure to register

Registration is closed 29 days before elections.

The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of
voters who participate in state and local elections.

Every vote is important.

Electoral college process

 The slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote.
 The electors meet to vote for President and Vice President.
 The winner-take-all system leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates
must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections.

The number of electors of each state is based on the state’s Congressional representation.

The requirements for a majority vote to win in the electoral college favors a two-party system.

CE.6
The Constitution of the United States of America establishes the principle of federalism,
which is the division of power between the states and the national government.

The Constitution of the United States of America establishes a federal form of

government in which the national government is supreme.

The powers of the national government are either enumerated/expressed or implied in the
Constitution of the United States of America.

The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution of the United States
of America are reserved for the states.

The Constitution of the United States of America denies powers to both the national and
state governments.

The powers of the local governments in Virginia are derived from the state.

Primary responsibilities of each level of government

 National—Conducts foreign policy, regulates commerce
 State—Promotes public health, safety, and welfare

Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated at the state and national levels of
government.

All powers of local government in Virginia are created and controlled by the state.

The powers and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at both
the national and state levels are limited.
Branch of Local Virginia National Government
Government Government Government

Legislative Makes ordinances for community; Makes laws for Virginia; Makes laws for nation; approves
approves annual budget; limits power to approves biennial (two-year) annual budget; approves
that delegated by the state budget; exercises power under presidential appointments
the 10th amendment
Executive Elected or appointed by the Board of Executes laws of Virginia; Executes law of the land;
Supervisors or City Council; city or prepares biennial budget for prepares annual budget for
county managers hired by local General Assembly; appoints congressional action; appoints
legislatures cabinet officers and boards; cabinet officers, ambassadors,
administers state bureaucracy; and federal judges; administers
grants pardons federal bureaucracy
Judicial Local courts—Hear cases under the Supreme Court—Has power of Supreme Court—Has power of
authority provided by state legislation judicial review over state laws judicial review
Circuit courts—Try civil and Federal courts—Try cases
criminal cases involving federal law and U.S.
Constitutional questions

Separating power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches helps prevent
any one branch from abusing its power.

A system of checks and balances gives each of the three branches of government ways to
limit the powers of the other branches.

Legislative powers over

 The executive branch
 Overrides vetoes
 Impeaches a President
 The judicial branch
 Approves federal judges
 Impeaches federal judges

Executive powers over

 The legislative branch
 Vetoes acts of Congress
 Calls Congress into special session
 The judicial branch
 Appoints federal judges

Judicial powers over

 The legislative branch
 Declares laws unconstitutional
 The executive branch
-- Declares executive acts unconstitutional

 The Constitution of the United States of America defines the process by which formal
changes are made to the document.

Process for amending the Constitution of the United States of America

 Action by Congress or convention
 Ratification by the states

 The amendment process is complex; to date, only 27 amendments have been added.

CE.7

Officials who are elected to serve in the state and national legislatures make laws.

Terms to know
Bicameral: Having two houses (e.g., the Senate and the House of Representatives)

The Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress are bicameral
legislatures.

Legislative powers
 Expressed (specifically listed)
 Implied (used to carry out expressed powers)
The lawmaking process in national and state legislatures
 Working in committees
 Debating on the floor
 Voting on a bill by both houses
 Signing the bill into law by the President or governor

Elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or issues.
Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation.

Ways the executive branch influences policymaking

 Proposing legislation in an annual speech to the legislature (State of the
Commonwealth or State of the Union Address)
 Appealing directly to the people
 Approving or vetoing legislation
 Appointing officials who carry out the laws
 Cabinet departments, agencies, and regulatory groups interpret and help with carrying
out laws.

Ways media play an important role in setting the public agenda

 Focusing public attention on selected issues
 Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated
 Holding government officials accountable to the public

 Government officials use the media to communicate with the public.

Ways media play an important role in setting the public agenda

 Focusing public attention on selected issues
 Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated
 Holding government officials accountable to the public

 Government officials use the media to communicate with the public.

Terms to know
Lobbying: Seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill

Ways individuals influence public policy

 Participating in politics (voting, campaigning)
 Expressing opinions (lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters)
 Joining interest groups

Ways interest groups influence public policy

 Identifying issues
 Making political contributions
 Lobbying government officials

CE.8
Virginia, like each of the other forty-nine states, has its own court system whose organization and
jurisdiction are derived from Virginia’s constitution and state laws.
Virginia Court System

Virginia Supreme Court

(Justices/no jury)
Court of final appeal (Appellate jurisdiction)
Limited original jurisdiction

Court of Appeals of Virginia

(Judges/no jury)
Appellate jurisdiction from circuit courts

Circuit Court
(Judge and jury)
Original jurisdiction for felony criminal cases and for certain civil
cases
Appellate jurisdiction from district courts

General District Court

(Judge)
Original jurisdiction of misdemeanors
Civil cases generally involving lower dollar amounts

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

(Judge/no jury)
Juvenile and family cases

Magistrates issue search warrants, subpoenas, arrest warrants, and summons and set bail.

The United States has a separate court system whose organization and jurisdiction are
derived from the Constitution of the United States of America and federal laws.
 United States Court System

U.S. Supreme Court

(Justices/no jury)
Jurisdiction: Appellate and Limited Original

U.S. Court of Appeals

(Justices/no jury)
Jurisdiction: Appellate

U.S. District Court

(Judge with jury)
Jurisdiction: Original

The power of judicial review is an important check on the legislative and executive
branches of government.

The supreme courts of the United States and Virginia determine the constitutionality of
laws and acts of the executive branch of government. This power is called judicial
review.

Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review at the national level.

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the land.
State laws must conform to the Virginia and United States constitutions.

Courts resolve two kinds of legal conflicts—civil and criminal.

Criminal law
In a criminal case, a court determines whether a person accused of breaking the law is
guilty or not guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony.

Civil law
In a civil case, a court settles a disagreement between two parties.

Criminal procedure in felony cases

 A person accused of a crime may be arrested if the police have probable cause.
 The accused may be committed to jail or released on bail.
 The case proceeds to an arraignment where probable cause is reviewed, the defendant
may be appointed an attorney, and a plea is entered.
 A court date is set and a trial is conducted.
 A guilty verdict may be appealed to the Court of Appeals or directly to the Supreme
Court in certain cases.

Procedure for civil cases

 The plaintiff files a complaint to recover damages or receive compensation.
 Case can be heard by judge or jury.
 Case can be appealed to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Procedure for cases involving juveniles
 Judges have greater latitude in handling juvenile cases.
 Juveniles who commit serious crimes can be tried as adults.

The right to due process of the law is outlined in the 5th and 14th Amendments to the
Constitution of the United States of America.

Terms to know
Due process of law: The constitutional protection against unfair governmental actions
and laws

Due process protections

 5th Amendment—Prohibits the national government from acting in an unfair manner
 14th Amendment—Prohibits state and local governments from acting in an unfair
manner
 The Supreme Court has extended the due process clauses to protect the guarantees of
the Bill of Rights.

CE.9
Scarcity is the inability to satisfy all wants at the same time. All resources and goods are limited. This
requires that choices be made.

Resources are factors of production that are used in the production of goods and services. Types of
resources are natural, human, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Choice is selecting an item or action from a set of possible alternatives. Individuals must choose/make
decisions about desired goods and services because these goods and services are limited.

Opportunity cost is what is given up when a choice is made—the highest valued alternative forgone.
Individuals must consider the value of what is given up when making a choice.

Price is the amount of money exchanged for a good or service. Interaction of supply and demand
determines price. Price determines who acquires goods and services.

Incentives
Incentives are things that incite or motivate. Incentives are used to change economic behavior.

Supply and demand

Interaction of supply and demand determines price. Demand is the amount of a good or service that
consumers are willing and able to buy at a certain price. Supply is the amount of a good or service that
producers are willing and able to sell at a certain price.

Production
Production is the combining of human, natural, capital, and entrepreneurship resources to make goods or
provide services. Resources available and consumer preferences determine what is produced.

Consumption
Consumption is using goods and services. Consumer preferences and price determine what is purchased.
Characteristics of major economic systems
 Free market
 Private ownership of property/resources
 Profit
 Competition
 Consumer sovereignty
 Individual choice
 Command economy
 Central ownership of property/resources
 Centrally-planned economy
 Lack of consumer choice
 Mixed economy
 Individuals and businesses as decision makers for the private sector
 Government as decision maker for the public sector
 A greater government role than in a free market economy
Most common economic system today
In the United States private individuals, businesses, and government share economic decision making.

Characteristics of the United States economy

 Free markets—Markets are allowed to operate without undue interference from the government.
 Private property—Individuals and businesses have the right to own personal property as well as the
means of production without undue interference from the government.
 Profit—Profit consists of earnings after all expenses have been paid.
 Competition—Rivalry between producers/sellers of a good or service results in better quality goods
and services at a lower price.
 Consumer sovereignty—Consumers determine through purchases, what goods and services will be
produced.

CE.10

Basic types of business ownership

 Proprietorship—A form of business organization with one owner who takes all the risks and all the
profits.
 Partnership—A form of business organization with two or more owners who share the risks and the
profits.
Corporation—A form of business organization that is authorized by law to act as a legal person
regardless of the number of owners. Owners share the profits. Owner liability is limited to investment.

Entrepreneur
 A person who takes a risk to produce goods and services in search of profit
 May establish a business according to any of the three types of organizational structures

Economic flow
 Individual and business saving and investment provide financial capital that can be borrowed for
business expansion and increased consumption.
 Individuals (households) own the resources used in production, sell the resources, and use the income
to purchase products.
 Businesses (producers) buy resources; make products that are sold to individuals, other businesses, and
the government; and use the profits to buy more resources.
 Governments use tax revenue from individuals and businesses to provide public goods and services.

Characteristics of private financial institutions

 Include banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and securities brokerages
 Receive deposits and make loans
 Encourage saving and investing by paying interest on deposits
Global Economy—Worldwide markets in which the buying and selling of goods and services by all
nations takes place

Reasons that states and nations trade

 To obtain goods and services they cannot produce or produce efficiently themselves
 To buy goods and services at a lower cost or a lower opportunity cost
 To sell goods and services to other countries
 To create jobs

Virginia and the United States specialize in the production of certain goods and services which promotes
efficiency and growth.

Impact of technological innovations

 Innovations in technology (e.g., the Internet) contribute to the global flow of information, capital,
goods, and services.
 The use of such technology also lowers the cost of production.

CE.11

Ways the government promotes marketplace competition

 Enforcing antitrust legislation to discourage the development of monopolies
 Engaging in global trade
 Supporting business start-ups

Government agencies that regulate business

 FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
 FTC (Federal Trade Commission)

These agencies oversee the way individuals and companies do business.

Characteristics of public goods and services

 Include such items as interstate highways, postal service, and national defense
 Provide benefits to many simultaneously
 Would not be available if individuals had to provide them

Ways governments produce public goods and services

 Through tax revenue
 Through borrowed funds

Government tax increases reduce the funds available for private and business spending; tax decreases
increase funds for private and business spending.

Increased government borrowing reduces funds available for borrowing by individuals and businesses;
decreased government borrowing increases funds available for borrowing by individuals and businesses.

Increased government spending increases demand, which may increase employment and production;
decreased spending reduces demand, which may result in a slowing of the economy.

Increased government spending may result in higher taxes; decreased government spending may result in
lower taxes.
The 16th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America authorizes Congress to tax
incomes (personal and business).

The Federal Reserve System (Fed) is the central bank of the United States.

Federal Reserve banks act as a banker’s bank by issuing currency and regulating the amount of money in
circulation.

To slow the economy, the Federal Reserve Bank restricts the money supply, causing interest rates to rise; to
stimulate the economy the Fed increases the money supply, causing interest rates to decline.

Ways the Federal Reserve Bank slows the economy

 Increases the reserve requirement
 Raises the discount rate
 Sells government securities

Ways the Federal Reserve Bank stimulates the economy

 Lowers the reserve requirement
 Lowers the discount rate
Purchases government securities

Individuals have the right of private ownership, which is protected by negotiated contracts that are
enforceable by law.

Government agencies establish guidelines that protect public health and safety.

Consumers may take legal action against violations of consumer rights.

CE.12

Career planning starts with self-assessment.

Employers seek employees who demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors of a strong work ethic.

Higher skill(s) and/or education level(s) generally lead to higher incomes.

Supply and demand also influence job income.

Employers seek individuals who have kept pace with technological change/skills.

Technological advancements create new jobs in the workplace.