Why is the study of

government important?

We all have opinions on everything…..

What are your opinions on the following: Gun laws Federally funded /mandated

health care Prayer in school Welfare Gay marriage Abortion Federally funded college

education

So, yes, we can all have opinions on issues.

But what does this have to do with understanding how government works or functions?

“Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”--John F. Kennedy

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.”--Daniel Patrick Moynihan

“Opinion is the exercise of the human will which helps us to make a decision without information.” --John Erskine

Write down and explain the meaning of one of

these quotes:

What’s the difference between an informed and uninformed opinion?

Which is easier to argue against?

Has someone ever successfully changed your opinion about a subject? How?

This is one of the more important classes you’ll take in high school!

Why?

"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline." --Kofi Annan

Politics & Government does affect you!“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”—Thomas Jefferson

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”—Pericles, 430 BC

In this 21st century age of information….

We need to be able to effectively share our opinions.

But we must be educated about the topics.

The purpose of this class is to teach you HOW government works and WHY your involvement matters.

If we fail to teach you this, here is the consequence:

“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Winston Churchill

What does that mean?

And yet:

“ It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

--Winston ChurchillWhat does THIS mean?

The purpose of this class:

Teach you about the various forms of government in the world, with a particular focus on understanding our own.

To help you understand what it means to be a “citizen” of a state & nation.

To learn about the politics, or process, involved in government and how the making of POLICY affects us all.

UNIT #1 ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

How do people around the world form governments to Establish orderProvide security& accomplish common goals?

What isPUBLIC POLICY?

THIS IS A TERM THAT WE WILL REFER TO OFTEN IN THIS CLASS.

PUBLIC POLICY

WHAT GOVERNMENT DOES OR DOES NOT DO TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE OR PROBLEM (think about the list of issues we just gave our opinions on)

Policy might take the form of a law or regulation

Policy is directed toward a goal or desired solution

Policymaking is part of an ongoing process; it's often revisited or revised

PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES:

TAXATION

DEFENSE

EDUCATION

CRIME

HEALTHCARE

TRANSPORTATION

ENVIRONMENT

CIVIL RIGHTS

WORKING CONDITIONS