Civics - Lesson 4

Civics : The Political Process
Lesson 4 Overview
Think of your course in civics as a journey of discovery. It’s a remarkably important journey for three reasons. First, it
helps you understand the nature of the country you live in. Second, it explains your rights and responsibilities as a citizen
of the United States. Third, you can use your knowledge of civics to help you take an active part in the democratic
process.
When Abraham Lincoln dedicated the cemetery at Gettysburg, he left us some memorable words. He said the government of this
nation was intended to be “...of the people, by the people, for the people.” Who are the people? All American citizens, so that
includes you. In this final lesson of your course in civics, you’ll study the political process. Learn all you can about it.
Think hard about the rights and responsibilities of a US citizen. Any citizen of the United States can play a part in the government.
US citizens have that right and that responsibility.
4.1 Define US citizenship

Citizenship
READING ASSIGNMENT
What Is Citizenship?
[Photo of the Statue of Liberty]
The Statue of Liberty was a gift

from France to the United
States. Since 1886, it has
welcomed immigrants to the
United States. The statue
stands as a symbol of the
freedom, liberty, and equality
that citizens of the United
States enjoy.
© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 1

Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment explains that all citizens of the United States are entitled to the full rights of citizenship as
set forth in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They’re entitled to equal protection under the law and to due process. In addition,
citizens may not be improperly deprived of life, liberty, or property.
Due process refers to fair treatment by both the courts and the police.
Types of Citizens
The United States is a land of immigrants. That means that many people who live here weren’t born here; they come from other
countries. That’s the main reason the United States has two kinds of citizens: natural-born citizens and naturalized citizens.
Natural-Born Citizens
Very simply put, a natural-born citizen is someone who becomes a citizen at birth.
If you were born in the United States, you’re automatically a United States citizen. And you’re also a citizen of the state in which
you were born.
The US Constitution defines citizenship in the Fourteenth Amendment:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of
the state wherein they reside."
Although this is a clear definition, it doesn’t cover many common scenarios. People began to ask questions like “What if someone
is born outside the United States, but both parents are US citizens?” This and other questions have been answered in the US
Code. The current code lists a number of people who are “citizens of the United States at birth.”
[Figure listing the conditions for being U.S. citizen at birth]
The definition of a natural-born citizen is rather detailed and complex.

Why has the government developed such a complicated definition of a natural-born citizen? One of the main reasons may be that
only a natural-born citizen can become president of the United States. Anyone who doesn’t fit into one of these categories isn’t a
natural-born citizen and is therefore ineligible to run for president or vice president of the United States. The government wants to
make sure it’s clear who is eligible and who is ineligible.
Naturalized Citizens
A naturalized citizen is someone who is not a natural-born citizen, but becomes a citizen through the process of naturalization.
Legal authority for allowing someone to become a naturalized citizen belongs to the federal government. However, under federal
law, both state and federal courts can grant citizenship.
Naturalization is a legal process by which a person becomes a citizen of the United States.
Because the US government has grown increasingly concerned about illegal immigration into the country, it has tightened its
immigration laws. In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). The act
focused on two areas:
1. Adopting stronger penalties against illegal immigration

2. Making it easier to deport illegal aliens—that is, those individuals who try to enter the United States without proper documents
Specifically, the act called for a number of provisions. For example, illegal aliens who are deported (removed from the country)
can’t return for 5 to 20 years, depending on the seriousness of their immigration violation.
Criminal aliens in custody can’t be released prior to their deportation. Also, the IIRIRA requires that a sponsor of an immigrant earn
at least 25 percent more than the poverty level. A sponsor is a person who signs an agreement to help an immigrant lawfully enter
the United States. The sponsor promises to provide financial support for the immigrant until he or she becomes a citizen or has
worked for a certain period of time.
Some IIRIRA restrictions on immigrants have been reversed by Congress or overturned by the Supreme Court. Even so, it’s harder
for immigrants to get into the United States now than it was at some earlier times in history.
Becoming a US Citizen
Becoming a US citizen isn’t an easy process. Suppose you live in a foreign country and you want to move to the United States and
eventually become a citizen. Here are the steps you must take:
1. Apply for an immigrant visa, which will allow you to move to the United States and establish a residence. The immigrant visa
also allows you to obtain a green card, which permits you to become a legal permanent resident. That means you can live and
work permanently in the United States.
2. Meet certain qualifications. Here are just a few of those requirements:
After you receive your green card, you must live in the United States for at least five years.
You must be of good moral character. That generally means you shouldn’t have a criminal record of any kind.
You must have a basic knowledge of simple English.
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must have a basic knowledge of the history and government of the United States.
Submit an application for naturalization. Along with the application, you must submit two photographs of yourself, any other
requested documents, and a fee. You must file this application at an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) center in your
area.
Once you receive an appointment letter from the INS, submit the required documents. You’ll also be asked to submit your
fingerprints.
Participate in an interview during which you must take an English and government test and answer questions about your

application and background.
Once you’re granted citizenship, you must attend a ceremony where you take the oath of citizenship and receive your Certificate
of Naturalization.
As with many regulations, there are exceptions to these requirements. For example, the English requirement may be waived for
people who have been living in the United States 20 years or more and are over 50 years old. Aliens who have served in the armed
forces also have a shorter waiting period.
Some schools and community organizations offer programs to help individuals prepare for the English and government tests for
citizenship and may offer help in completing the naturalization application.
Access the US Citizenship and Government (my.uscis.gov/prep/test/civics) website to complete a Civics practice test, which is a
study tool meant to help individuals prepare for the citizenship exam.
The Rights of Citizens in a Democratic Nation
[Illustration showing the naturalization oath]
All persons who become citizens of the United States through the naturalization process must take this oath.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution express the basic rights of citizens of the United States. The Declaration
expresses basic human rights—the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights spell
out the legal rights of citizens.

In the next few paragraphs, you’ll examine some of your basic legal rights provided in the Constitution. Some of this is a review of
material you’ve already learned. But since this is information you should know, it’s worth repeating.
The First Amendment gives you the right to
Worship as you wish (freedom of worship)

Freely express your opinions (freedom of speech). The only exception is that you can’t express your opinions in a way that
may bring harm to others. For example, you can say your office building is a firetrap, but you can’t call the fire department and
declare that a fire is about to occur.
Publish your opinions (freedom of the press).
Assemble with others in peaceful meetings, marches, and demonstrations (freedom of assembly). The term peaceful may
mean that you have to obtain a permit from a local authority so you don’t obstruct traffic or cause other problems of civil
disorder.
Address your concerns and grievances to your local, state, and federal government, in person or in writing (freedom of
petition).
Under the Second Amendment, you have the right to own firearms. However, gun ownership is restricted in various ways under
federal, state, and local laws. For example, you may not purchase a firearm if you’ve been convicted of a felony. You may not
discharge a firearm in a public place or in a manner that puts others at risk. You may not legally purchase a military-style automatic
weapon.
You can be arrested if you’re caught in a criminal act. Otherwise, according to the Fourth Amendment, an officer needs a court
order to arrest you. Furthermore, police can’t search your place of residence or take private property away as evidence without a
bench warrant, or court order.
According to the Fifth Amendment, you can’t be tried for a capital crime or other felony unless a charge is brought against you by a
grand jury. A capital crime can carry the death penalty. You’re also protected from double jeopardy. That is, if you’re tried for an
offense and found not guilty, you can’t be tried again for the same offense. In addition, you have the right to due process. Finally,
the government isn’t allowed to take away any of your private property without paying a fair price for it. For example, if a highway is
to be built across your land, you must be paid for that land at market value.
Under the Sixth Amendment, you have the right to a fair and speedy trial. For serious crimes, you have a right to a trial by a jury. If
you’re arrested, you have the right to know why—that is, you have the right to know what you’re charged with. You also have a
right to question witnesses who bring evidence against you.
The Fourteenth Amendment addresses many issues. However, the two important elements that deal with citizens are thedue
process and equal protection clauses. As you’ve already learned, due process refers to fair treatment in legal proceedings. The
equal protection clause gives you the right to equal protection under the law. In other words, no one should be above the law.
Anyone charged with an offense should be treated the same way—rich or poor, black or white, male or female.
[Photo of a penny]

As I Would Not Be a Slave . . .
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States. He led the nation through the Civil War (1861–1865). Lincoln
had an interesting way of expressing his idea of democracy and the rule of law. Here’s what he said: "As I would not be a slave, so
I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever [form of government] differs from this, to the extent of
the difference, is no democracy."
As a citizen of the United States, you have the legal right to expatriation. That is, you have the right to renounce your citizenship.
Just as an immigrant has the right to petition for citizenship, all citizens have the right to give up their citizenship. Not all countries
give their citizens the right to expatriation.
Responsibilities of Citizens in a Democratic Nation
As a US citizen, you’re responsible for obeying all local, state, and federal laws to the best of your ability. Although you may not be
aware of every law, common sense is usually a sufficient guide. If you’re concerned for the rights and needs of others, you’re likely
to be within the law.
As you’ve already learned, the ideal of equal justice under law requires that a person be tried by a jury of his or her peers.
Therefore, as a citizen, you’re also responsible for answering calls to jury duty. Most employers honor this obligation. Under the
law, you won’t lose your job if you have to take time off to serve on a jury. Some people are excused from jury duty if they’re public
servants. This often includes teachers and government workers.
A duty is a moral or legal obligation. Jury duty refers to the legal obligation to serve on a jury when called to do so.
Many of your obligations as a citizen aren’t precisely spelled out; they’re implied. For example, if you’re willing to protect and defend
the Constitution, then you must be responsible to take up arms in defense of the nation if you’re healthy enough to do so. However,
American law respects freedom of religion. People who belong to a religion that doesn’t allow them to go to war are allowed to
serve as conscientious objectors. A conscientious objector, who doesn’t wish to fight, may serve in field hospitals or in other
noncombatant roles.
A conscientious objector is someone who refuses to fight in the military based on religious or moral principles.
Making Your Voice Heard
As you’ve already learned, democracy is a type of government by the people. The United States is a representative democracy.
That is, the people participate in the decision making through elected representatives. As a citizen of the United States, you have
many elected representatives—local, state, and federal representatives—including the president of the United States. These
representatives are supposed to carry out the will of the people. To do that, they must know what the people want. Of course, it’s
part of a representative’s job to find out what the people want, but it’s also each citizen’s responsibility to get their wishes to their
officials.
The first step in making your voice heard is becoming informed. For example, if you’re opposed to the death penalty, you should
gather facts about that issue, such as the risk of innocent people being executed. If you’re in favor of supporting public libraries,
you need to gather the facts on library funding and library services. If you want to support certain candidates, you should learn all
about their voting records and how they stand on the issues that are important to you.
To become informed, you can begin by watching television news programs or by reading newspapers. But you must be an
intelligent listener and reader. Some newspapers and news programs have a certain political bias. That is, they have predetermined
positions on particular issues and publish stories that support their position. Make sure you are aware of the source of the
information, and try to learn about the same issue from multiple sources with different perspectives. The possibility of bias should
also be considered on candidates’ official websites, social media accounts, and other methods of mass communication since this
is where they try to gain support.

To get information quickly on specific issues, you can use the Internet. Begin with any of the basic search engines, like Google or
Yahoo. If you don’t have access to the Internet, most public libraries have computers available for use by the public.
[Photo students looking at a computer

screen in a library]
Most public libraries have

computers that the public can
use. If you’re unfamiliar with
using a computer as a research
tool, ask the librarian for help.
Your librarian can show you how to search through books and periodicals to get information. Larger libraries have specialists called
reference librarians. Their job is to help you find the information you’re looking for. If you want information on a particular bill, your
library should have copies of the Congressional Record. The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and
debates of the US Congress. It’s published daily when Congress is in session. The contents page for each edition tells you which
House and Senate bills it contains.
Access the US Government Publishing Office (www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action) office to locate the Congressional Records
from 1994 to the present.
The next step in getting your voice heard is choosing a strategy. You may decide to approach your concern by getting signatures
on a petition or by forming or joining an interest group.
An interest group is a voluntary association that seeks to publicly promote and create advantages for its cause.
The simplest way to make your voice heard, however, is to contact your representative and senators directly. You have two
senators who represent your state in the Senate and one representative who represents your district in the House of
Representatives.
Access GovTrack.us (www.govtrack.us/congress/members) to find your representatives.
You can contact your representatives by letter, phone call, or email. To obtain the correct addresses and phone numbers, check
with your local public library or go to http://www.usa.gov/ (www.usa.gov/) and click on Government Agencies and Elected
Officials. The website even provides phone numbers and email addresses for the president and vice president. Evidence shows
that letters from constituents do have a real effect. Also, you may get interesting replies on official stationery.
A constituent is someone who authorizes another to act as agent. In government, the people are the constituents of their elected
officials.
As an alternate approach, you can write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Letters to the editor can have an impact when you
want to voice your opinion on local issues. Effective or not, you may get interesting letters from people with other opinions.
The final step in making your voice heard is commitment, which can be a time-consuming step. Americans are chronically busy
people with little free time. Work and family demands eat up a lot of people’s time. It can take serious discipline to put aside some
time to read the paper and keep up with important issues. But it’s not impossible. Besides, if you do have children, you’ll be
teaching them a valuable lesson by your example. They’ll learn that civic responsibility matters.

Voting Rights and Responsibilities
Citizenship carries with it both privileges and obligations. One of the main obligations you have as a citizen is to get out and vote on
election day. With your vote, you can play an important role in the shaping of your nation. If you don’t vote, you lose your voice in
your government, and the democratic system of government isn’t maintained.
To vote, you must meet four basic requirements. You must
1. Be at least 18 years old

2. Be a US citizen
3. Have resided in a state for a certain period of time (usually 30 days or more)
4. Be registered to vote (in every state except North Dakota)
The purpose of voter registration is to assure that people vote only once. Usually, registering is a matter of filling out a simple form
like the one in the figure below.
[Figure showing a voter registration application]
This sample Voter Registration Application gives you an idea of the type of information required to register to vote.
Since 1993, many states have instituted motor-voter laws, which allow people to register to vote when they get their driver’s license
or have it renewed.
Access the Election Assistance Commission (www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx) website for information on how
to register to vote. Most states allow individuals to register online.
After your registration is completed, you’ll receive a voter registration card, which will tell you where to go to vote.
In the United States, many people don’t bother to vote. In fact, fewer than half of the registered voters usually turn out to vote in a
presidential election. Even fewer vote in elections that don’t involve presidential candidates. There are several important reasons
that people don’t vote. Let’s explore some of them.
1. Many people who are qualified to vote may not be informed about political issues or candidates. People who feel uninformed
often decide not to vote. As a citizen, however, you have a responsibility to become informed about the candidates and the
issues and then to vote.

2. Some people don’t like either candidate, so they don’t vote. They feel that it’s a case of Tweedledee or Tweedledum, brothers
in the book Through the Looking-Glass, who look alike and say the same things in the same way. If voters feel it doesn’t
matter which of two similar candidates wins, they don’t vote.
3. Many Americans are cynical about government. A cynical person is one who is short on trust and long on doubt. Many
Americans feel their votes won’t change government one way or the other so they don’t bother to vote.
[Illustration of Australia]
In Australia, people who run for public office receive campaign money from the government. Taxes include an amount for that
purpose. Any qualified candidate receives such funds. No private funding is permitted. Australian media is expected to provide
equal exposure and debate time to all the candidates. Citizens of Australia are required to vote. Failing to vote is punishable by a
fine.
4. Some people feel that their one vote doesn’t make a difference. Of course, their votes can’t make a difference if they don’t
vote. And if enough people have this attitude, then their lack of voting can make a big difference. Every vote is important.
5. Many people don’t vote because they don’t identify with either Democrats or Republicans. Therefore, during an election
campaign, they don’t find their point of view represented.
6. In some states and localities, registration is complicated. People may not know how to register, or they may not care enough
to find out how to register. In either case, they don’t vote.
7. Some people would like to vote, but have a hard time doing so. Disabled and elderly people in poor health have trouble getting
to the polls. Although relatives and volunteers sometimes offer transportation for these people, there are still many who would
vote if they had the opportunity, but can’t.
8. Political parties have lost much of their ability to organize voters. Years ago, strong party organizations, called political
machines, existed in states and urban areas. They organized voters and made sure they got to the polls. Voting turnouts
during the time of strong party machines were sometimes as high as 90 percent in national elections. Today, the political
parties are much weaker. People vote more on issues or individual candidates. They no longer feel much pressure to vote with
their political party.
So, who votes? Here’s what political scientists tell us:
[Table listing the percentage of people

who vote by age range]
1. Older people are more likely to vote than younger people. They're members of the generations who benefited from the Civil

Rights Movement of the 1960s and economic growth during the terms of Reagan and Clinton. Many of these voters hope
government will do good things again. See the figure for how the US population voted in the 2012 presidential election
according to the US Census Bureau.
2. People who vote are those who are likely to be affected by the outcome of the election.
3. People are more likely to vote if the election seems critical—for example, if there are sharply defined issues and strong
differences between the candidates. In some elections, the differences between candidates seem more or less insignificant,
possibly because both political parties take a centrist approach. Centrist politicians are afraid to go too far to the left or the
right. They want to get as many votes as they can. Therefore, they try to find a safe middle ground between liberal (left) and
conservative (right) ideas of government. For example, a candidate may support some liberal and some conservative
programs if those programs are popular with the American people.
4. People with more education vote more often than those with less education. Better-educated people are more likely to read
newspapers and watch C-Span and other news networks. Possibly because they’re better informed, educated people are
more likely to vote.
C-Span is a nationwide television network that broadcasts things like the Senate and House sessions. Viewers can watch their
government in action.
Key Points and Links

READING ASSIGNMENT
Key Points
A natural-born citizen is someone who becomes a citizen at birth. A naturalized citizen is someone who is not a natural-born
citizen, but becomes a citizen through the process of naturalization.
The equal protection clause gives citizens the right to equal protection under the law. Anyone charged with an offense should
be treated the same way—rich or poor, black or white, male or female.
The United States is a representative democracy—people participate in the decision making through elected representatives.
As a citizen, you can make your voice heard by first becoming informed, then choosing a strategy, and finally contacting your
representative and senators.
There are three ways citizens can contact their representatives to make their voices heard—letters, phone calls, and emails.
An interest group is a voluntary association that seeks to publicly promote and create advantages for its cause.
To vote in the United States, a person must meet certain criteria.
Links
Naturalization Process (www.citizenshipworks.org/learn/)

Rights of Naturalized Persons (www.law.cornell.edu/anncon/html/art1frag64_user.html)
Exercise: Voter's Questionnaire
Based on what you've read, answer the following questions.
1. Are you at least 18 years old?

2. Are you a citizen of the United States?
3. Are you registered to vote?
4. Did you vote in the last election?
Exercise Answer Key:

Exercise: Voter's Questionnaire
If you answered “yes” to the first two questions, you should also have answered “yes” to the second two. You may not be
_required_ to vote in the United States, but it’s your duty as a responsible citizen to exercise this right. Exercise: Voting Rights

and Responsibilities
1. What are motor-voter laws?

2. What is the purpose of voter registration?

Exercise: Voting Rights and Responsibilities
1. Motor-voter laws, which were instituted in 1993, allow people to register to vote when they get their driver’s license or have it
renewed. 2. The purpose of voter registration is to assure that people vote only once.
4.2 Describe the US political system

The Political System
READING ASSIGNMENT
The Two-Party System
The framers of the Constitution didn’t want political parties in the United States. They were afraid parties would create conflicts and
divisions within the country. However, at the very beginning of the history of the United States, during the ratification process of the
Constitution, two parties emerged. The supporters of James Madison’s Virginia Plan and the new Constitution were known as
Federalists. They proposed a strong central government with three branches. These Federalists were opposed by the Anti-
Federalists, who wanted a weak central government and strong state governments. The Anti- Federalists supported Thomas
Jefferson.
A political party is a group of people who have the same political views and agendas.
In the years after the ratification and during George Washington’s presidency, political parties changed their names. The Anti-
Federalists became known as the Democratic-Republican Party, which eventually evolved into the present-day Democratic Party.
The first Republican Party was formed in 1854 as an anti-slavery party. It backed the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. Even though
the parties have kept the same names through most of American history, their positions on issues have changed dramatically over
the years. The timeline in the figure below briefly outlines the evolution of the two main political parties in the United States.
Republicans sometimes refer to their party as the "party of Lincoln."

[Timeline of the United States Two-Party System]
Timeline of the United States Two-Party System
[Illustration of the Republican and Democratic mascots designed by Thomas Nast]
Third Parties
Over the years, third parties have tried to challenge the two-party system. So far, none have succeeded in becoming established
parties. The following list includes just some of the third parties that have come on the American scene:
The Know-Nothing Party of the 1840s and '50s was anti-immigrant.

The Greenback Party of the 1870s was supported by many farmers. They wanted the government to increase the amount of
paper money in circulation.
The Populist Party of 1891 to about 1908 was a combined effort of farmers and various labor groups.
Theodore Roosevelt, upon leaving the Republican Party in 1912, founded the national Progressive Party. It didn’t get
Roosevelt back into the presidency, but it did shake the political ground. Progressives would eventually vote for the liberal
Democratic party.
Third parties have been important in three ways:
1. They’ve offered an alternative to voters who didn’t want to support either of the major parties. Both the Green and Libertarian
Parties in 2016 gained voters who weren't happy with either Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican Donald Trump.
2. They’ve helped political leaders understand the real concerns of voters. Ross Perot ran for president in 1992 while focusing on
the national debt and reducing government spending, which has been an issue for both major political parties since then.

3. They've altered the outcomes of national elections. Voters in 1860, 1912, and 1992 were split among multiple parties; winners
had less than 50 percent of the popular vote but won Electoral College majorities to win the presidency. The elections of 2000
and 2016 saw small percentages going to third-party candidates but enough to affect the winners of electoral votes in certain
states.
The Election Process
Once the two-party system was well established, the election process emerged. Basically, this is how it works today.
Entering the race. A number of people from each party may “throw their hat into the ring” or announce their desire to run for
president of the United States. These candidates must raise money and begin campaigning across the country. Their purpose is to
try to convince the people to vote for them.
A candidate is a person who is seeking the nomination to an office.
Primary elections. Primary elections are held in most states beginning in January. In the primary elections, voters indicate their
preference for the person they wish to represent their party in the election. Most states have closed primaries. If you’re registered
as a Democrat, you can vote only for a Democratic candidate. If you’re registered as a Republican, you can vote only for a
Republican candidate. Some states, however, hold open primaries. In those states, you can vote for any candidate, no matter
which party you’re registered with. Some states hold caucuses to discuss the candidates. There are often several rounds of voting
until a winner in that meeting is decided
The earliest primaries are held in New Hampshire and Iowa, so they often get a lot of attention.
During primary elections, candidates of both parties go from town to town and door to door shaking hands and explaining their
position. They attend rallies and purchase lots of local ads. As the primaries progress from state to state, candidates slowly begin
to drop out of the race. By the time the national convention occurs, usually only a few candidates remain.
National conventions. Each party holds a national convention at which it selects its candidate for president of the United States.
The convention can choose only one candidate. Each presidential candidate then chooses a running mate—that is, someone to
run as vice president.
During national conventions, party leaders prepare a party platform, which lays out the goals and plans of the party for the next
administration. Each goal of the platform is called a plank. If a party’s candidate is elected, the platform becomes the agenda for
the newly elected president. If the party’s candidate loses, the party platform guides the legislative goals of party members elected
to Congress. The party platform also serves voters. By examining the platforms of all of the parties, voters can decide which
candidates they want to vote for.
Campaigning. By tradition, the national conventions are held in the summer, and the official campaign begins in September. In
fact, though, candidates begin to seek support and money long before the national convention. A large part of the expense of
modern national campaigns is media advertising. An enormous amount of money is poured into television ads. Radio and
newspaper ads, posters, buttons, and bumper stickers add to the expense.
Campaign strategies are complicated. Candidates must speak to the American people, debate with other candidates, and try to
convince the American people to vote for them. Campaigns require the support of party regulars, volunteers, and professional
political managers. Managers can help candidates to select key issues to attract undecided voters. Managers also try to make sure
a candidate presents an attractive public image. A lot of attention is given to photo opportunities and getting favorable media
publicity.

[Photo of Barack Obama as a
campaign event in New Hampshire]
During a presidential campaign,

candidates are constantly in the
public eye. This photo shows
Barack Obama at a campaign
event in New Hampshire.
Election. According to the Constitution, election day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. On that day, voters
elect the person who will be their president and vice president for the next four years.
The president and vice president are the only government officials elected by all the people in the United States. On voting day, the
polls open early and close late, but the times vary from state to state. Each registered voter is assigned a specific polling location,
which is run by local election boards.
[Photo of a sign that reads Vote Here

next to an American flag]
Find out where your voting

location is. It may be in a public
school, a municipal building, a
fire hall, or even a library. Each
location sets up temporary
headquarters on election days.
The law doesn’t allow people to campaign at the polls. However, outside most polling places, there are volunteers from the
different parties handing out sample ballots. Sample ballots highlight the candidates running for one of the parties—usually
Republican or Democrat.
When you enter the polling place, a volunteer or an election board official will check to find your name on the registration roll. Once
your name and proper address are confirmed, you’re ready to vote. You may have to wait a minute or two to use an electronic
touchscreen device or for a private area to become open. American voters cast secret ballots.
Today, many states use optical scan paper ballot counting machines rather than voting booths with pull curtains (mechanical lever
voting machines). Voting machines are a bit like calculators. Every time a vote is cast, the total vote tally increases by one and the
machine is ready to process another completed ballot.

[Photo of a voter entering his votes
into a ballot machine]
When you enter a polling place,

you may be given a paper ballot
to complete. Most polling places
using paper ballots now have
optical scan paper ballot
machines.
On your electronic or paper ballot, you’ll see the candidates that you can vote for. If you want to vote for all Democrats or all
Republicans, you can simply touch the button or fill in the circle for the appropriate party. If you want to split your vote between
parties, you’ll have to go through each option on the ballot. If you have any questions about how to vote, don’t hesitate to ask.
There are typically volunteers present who will be glad to assist you. Each facility usually has a sample ballot on display. You
should study that before you go in to vote.
When you’re given a paper ballot, it’s simply tagged with the next available ballot number. You’re not assigned a specific number.
The number isn’t recorded on the registration roll under your name. Therefore, your vote remains private.
Electronic machines are very efficient. They provide a means to quickly tally returns after polling places close. In fact, winners and
losers of most political races can be determined within hours after voting ends.
[Photo of the Florida punch card ballot used in the presidential election in 2000]
Electoral college. Once all the votes have been cast and the polls have closed, the votes are counted in each state. Whoever
wins the most votes in any state receives all the electoral votes for that state. Eventually, one party or the other declares victory.
Champagne corks pop. Red, white, and blue party streamers fly. The losing candidate makes a concession speech. However, the
president isn’t yet officially elected. On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, the electors meet in their state
capitals. The number of electors depends on the number of representatives in Congress. For example, California has 55 electors
(53 representatives and two senators); New Hampshire has only 4.
The electors are to cast their votes according to the results in their state. The results of the electoral vote in each state are
transmitted to the secretary of state in Washington, DC. On January 6, the results are publicly presented before a joint session of

Congress.
To be elected president of the United States, a candidate must receive at least one-half of the electoral votes, plus one. Since there
are 538 electors, a candidate must receive 270 votes to win (½ × 538 = 269 + 1 = 270).
The president is officially inaugurated on January 20. He or she takes a solemn oath administered by the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court. The oath requires the president to say, “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of
the United States, and I will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
In summary, there are three main steps to the presidency: the primary elections, the party conventions, and the campaigns for the
general election. The election process is very long, very expensive, and very hard on the candidates. All candidates, even those in
office spend a lot of time raising campaign money. Interest groups and political action committees that supply most of that money
may influence legislation. In that regard, business interests carry a lot of weight. Many feel that the election process should be
reformed, but few agree on how to do that.
Special Interest Groups
Special interest groups are organizations that form to influence legislation that will benefit the people that they represent. There are
about as many interest groups as there are different points of view. Teachers, doctors, manufacturers, farmers, and many others
form interest groups. The main interest groups are corporate-industrial, organized labor, and special issue interest groups.
Corporate-Industrial Interest Groups
Industries are organizations that produce goods and services. Examples of some of the larger and more powerful industries are
The automobile industry

The petroleum industry
The coal-mining industry
Pharmaceutical (drug) manufacturers
Banking and financial services
Insurance
Farming
Farm machinery manufacturing
Steel
Electronics
One of the largest industries today is the media. Media includes all the ways of storing and transferring information. Newspapers,
magazines, radio and television stations, movie producers, and the Internet are media.
Business corporations represent an industry. Today, many corporations own or manage operations in more than one industry. For
example, at one time, General Electric was mainly a manufacturer of products like transformers, light bulbs, and generators. Today,
however, it also owns the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). Phillip Morris, a tobacco manufacturer, now also owns
General Foods. Such recent corporate mergers have resulted in many giant corporations. A merger occurs when two or more
corporations join into one.
The power of corporate interest groups in our world has become international. Such multinational corporations have created a
process called globalization, which refers to the methods of handling businesses and industries that conduct business in more than
one country. The federal government has a lot of trouble trying to regulate the business activities of such multinational corporations
as General Motors, Coca-Cola, and International Business Machines (IBM).
The interest groups for these corporations and industries work to persuade a government, or several governments in different
countries, to pass or enforce laws that would benefit their work.

Organized Labor
The labor movement in America was organized to improve conditions for workers. Before the labor movement, children worked
long hours in factories. Many factories and mines were unsafe. The labor movement brought the eight-hour day and the minimum
wage. It got workers higher wages for overtime. The labor movement also brought improvements in worker safety. Factories and
other work environments, such as coal mines, are less dangerous than they once were.
For many years, the most important organized labor group in America was the American Federation of Labor and Congress of
Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). This organization is made up of a federation of unions for steelworkers, coal miners, truckers,
and many other trades. The Wagner Act of 1947 allowed workers to organize and enter into collective bargaining with business
management. It also gave them the right to strike. A strike occurs when union members walk out and refuse to work until an
agreement is reached between union leaders and business management.
The federal government oversees labor-management disputes through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The NLRB
was created by the Wagner Act. Globalization has moved most manufacturing jobs out of the United States. Multinational
corporations have increased their profits by taking jobs overseas where labor is less expensive. Today, only a small fraction of US
manufacturing workers are in unions.
Meanwhile, other industries have formed unions. These include airline workers, US Postal Service employees, public school
teachers, college teachers, and healthcare workers. Two of the most influential of the teachers unions are the American Federation
of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA). Physicians are represented by the American Medical
Association (AMA). The AMA isn’t a union, although it’s an interest group for physicians. Beyond the AMA, groups of physicians
have begun to form unions. Nurses and other healthcare workers are represented by unions in some states.
Special Issue Interest Groups
There are an amazing number of special issue interest groups. They include organizations like the Sierra Club (an environmental
group) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Possibly the largest of the special issue interest groups is the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP), which represents the interests of older Americans. AARP has been influential in helping
senior citizens in areas like healthcare and discrimination.
Some special issue interest groups give support to an industry, even though this may happen unintentionally. For example, the
National Rifle Association fights for the individual rights of gun owners. As a result, arms manufacturers may benefit. Companies
like Remington, Colt, and Winchester are able to sell more guns to private citizens.
Other special issue interest groups include the following organizations:
The League of Women Voters promotes open debate and democratic values.
A large number of issue groups focus on environmental concerns. Examples include the National Audubon Society, Friends of
the Earth, and the Sierra Club.
Some special interest groups support particular political philosophies. These groups are often called foundations or institutes. But,
like other interest groups, they try to influence public policy. A common nickname for such interest organizations is think tanks,
because their members are often highly educated experts in fields like economics and history. A conservative think tank is the Cato
Institute, which supports capitalism and business interests. Another conservative think tank is the Heritage Foundation. The Center
for the Study of Democratic Institutions supports ideals of liberal democracy. One of its founders is actor Paul Newman. Such
special interest groups produce studies and position papers on public issues. Their members also publish books and articles in
magazines or journals.
How Interest Groups Do Their Work
Interest groups try to get laws passed in their favor. To do so, they use three main approaches—member education, media, and

lobbyists.
Member education. Most interest groups publish magazines or newsletters that are distributed to members of the interest group.
Included in these publications is information about the group’s activities and when important bills are coming up for debate in the
House or Senate.
Media. You’ve probably seen television messages sponsored by interest groups. For example, AARP ads try to convince people
that they need to join the AARP and support its mission. NEA commercials promote school reforms that support teaching. Media
time is expensive. Since interest groups depend on contributions from group members, they may not be able to afford such ads.
Notice that there are a lot more corporate ads on television than there are interest group ads.
Lobbyists. Washington, DC is jam-packed with lobbyists. In fact, there are far more lobbyists in Washington than there are
members of Congress. Lobbyists are professionals who are hired by interest groups to help them in their causes. Some lobbyists
make a lot of money because skilled lobbyists have many connections and a lot of clout.
Lobbyists have enormous influence on legislation through three primary avenues. First, they’re a source of information for their
interest group. For example, lobbyists are responsible for an NEA newspaper that informs teachers about educational goals and
legislation to meet those goals. Second, lobbyists use the media. They help get out newspaper, television, and Web ads that
support their interest group’s goals. They set up interviews with public officials and experts to further their group’s goals. They write
letters to the public—often as newspaper editorials. Third, lobbyists directly influence members of Congress. Representatives and
senators spend a lot of time talking to lobbyists. They count on lobbyists to help them know what voters are interested in. They
count on them to explain the many bills they have to read. Lobbyists, in turn, argue for legislation that favors the interest they
represent.
People often think of lobbyists as targeting members of Congress. In fact, lobbyists also influence members of the executive
branch, including the president. Lobbyists are also active at the state and local levels of government.
Political Action Committees
Interest groups raise money from their members. Often this money is used to form a political action committee (PAC). PAC money
is used to support candidates who endorse the concerns of a particular interest group. There are more than 4,000 PACs in the
United States. They have an enormous impact on election campaigns.
Congress has been concerned about the power of PACs and has tried to restrict their influence. It passed legislation to restrict the
amount of money any PAC could give to a campaign fund. The limit is $5,000. However, PACs can contribute to many different
campaigns. A wealthy PAC, therefore, can support a whole slate of candidates across the nation. Further, PACs aren’t restricted
from running their own campaigns for a candidate. They can buy television and newspaper ads on their own. Ads paid for by such
groups usually end with something like “Paid for by Citizens for Thorndike.”
Are Interest Groups Good for Democracy?
Interest groups and PACs permit citizens to make their voices heard. They permit ordinary citizens to influence legislation. It’s hard
to see this as anything but democracy in action. Interest groups also supply important information to legislators and members of the
executive branch. The downside is this: some PACs, especially the corporate-industrial groups, are much wealthier than others
and can exert more influence.
The United States is the only industrial nation that doesn’t have some kind of universal health insurance for all its citizens. In
America today, a significant number of people have no health insurance. During the first Clinton administration, first lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton led a campaign for universal health coverage. Some would say it was badly designed. Some would agree that it
was defeated by powerful interest groups. Primary among these were the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry.
Passage of the Affordable Care Act is considered one of Barack Obama’s most important achievements. The act, also referred to

as Obamacare, was intended to increase access to healthcare while controlling future cost increases making healthcare more
affordable.
Access to healthcare has improved. The percentage of uninsured people decreased from approximately 18% in 2010 to 10.5% in
2015, as provisions of the Affordable Care Act were implemented, ending at 11.1% (30 million people) in 2020, according to the
department of Health and Human Services.
The question on cost is still open for debate. Some participants in the program receive subsidies, which come from the federal
budget. Others with private insurance have seen deductibles and premiums increase significantly. Challenges to the Affordable
Care Act are ongoing, but today it is the law of the land.
Concern about interest groups and PACs representing business interests isn’t new. Abraham Lincoln complained about the power
of the “moneyed interests.” Theodore Roosevelt attacked the power of business monopolies.
A monopoly exists when one company controls the entire market for a particular good or service.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned about the rise of what he called the “military-industrial complex.” He was referring to close
connections between government contractors, the military, and large corporations that produce vehicles and weapons systems for
the armed forces.
Meanwhile, election campaigns have become enormously expensive. It takes so much money to run a campaign that many
government leaders worry about big business. These critics argue that big corporations have too much influence. When a special
interest group contributes a lot of money to a particular candidate’s campaign, that group is certainly expecting something in return.
Here’s the problem: Let’s say a certain senator receives one million campaign dollars from interests representing the fishing
industry. Will this senator really be able to fairly evaluate legislation to stop overfishing in the Atlantic?

READING ASSIGNMENT
Key Points
A political party is a group of people who have the same political views and agendas.
The United States has two major parties: Republicans and Democrats.
Each party holds a national convention at which it selects its candidate for president of the United States. Each convention can
choose only one candidate.
Election day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
To be elected president of the United States, a candidate must receive at least one-half of the electoral votes, plus one. Since
there are 538 electors, a candidate must receive 270 votes to win.
Special interest groups are organizations that form to influence legislation that will benefit the people that they represent.
These groups use member education, media, and lobbyists to get laws passed in their favor.
Lobbyists are professionals who are hired by interest groups to help them in their causes.
Links
Jury Duty Laws (www.employmentlawhandbook.com/WageHour/JuryDutyLaws.html)

Register to Vote (www.rockthevote.com/rtv_voter_registration.html?source=)
Voter Requirements by State (www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx)
Statistics on Voter Turnout (www.census.gov/topics/public-sector/voting.html)
Electoral College Figures (www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html)
Court Decision Impacting Special Interest Groups (www.reuters.com/article/2010/01/21/us-usa-court-politics-idUSTRE60K3SK
20100121)
The Congressional Record (www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action)

Exercise: Third Parties and Interest Groups
1. Summarize the three main effects of third parties on American politics.

2. How is a special issue interest group like the AARP different from an organized labor interest group?
3. Summarize three main things interest groups do to get laws passed in their favor.
4. Members of Congress get benefits from lobbyists. What are they?

Exercise: Third Parties and Interest Groups
1. Third parties offer an alternative to voters who don’t want to support either of the major parties. They’ve given political leaders
insight into the real concerns of voters. Finally, they’ve sometimes affected the outcome of national elections. 2. Generally, special
issues groups address issues of broad public concern. For example, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
addresses the concerns of older people. The National Rifle Association addresses the public's right to bear arms. Organized labor
interest groups, on the other hand, are focused on getting a fair slice of the economic pie. They first formed to oppose the power of
business owners and managers. Teacher and government worker unions try to get a fair deal from governments that own and
manage their labor. 3. Interest groups try to get laws passed in their favor through member education, using the media, and hiring
lobbyists. 4. Senators and representatives use lobbyists as a source of information. Lobbyists help them know what voters are
interested in. They also help explain some of the many bills that legislators must read and understand.
4.3 Examine different costs and practices of serving and protecting the United States
To Serve and Protect: Basic Issues of Government
READING ASSIGNMENT
Paying for Government
You learned earlier in this course that one of the fatal flaws of the Articles of Confederation was that the central government
couldn’t levy and collect taxes. It couldn’t perform as a true central government because it had no firm source of revenue. To
support the government, citizens pay taxes. The Constitution gave the House of Representatives the main power for levying federal
taxes. State government legislatures have the main responsibility for establishing state tax laws. Localities may also impose county
or city taxes.
In this instance, revenue refers to the income a government receives, for example, from taxes, for public use.
Where Does the Money Come From?
[Pie chart showing the distribution of

revenue received by the federal

government]
The federal government

receives revenue from a variety
of sources. The figures shown
in this pie chart represent the
approximate amounts received
in the year 2014. (Source:
Office of Management and
Budget)
The government receives revenue from a variety of sources. To better understand where the government gets its money, study the
figure below, which shows the approximate percentages of revenue for the year 2014. Most revenues received at the federal level
come from direct taxes. In fact, 80 percent of the money that goes to the federal government comes from two sources:
Personal income taxes

Payroll taxes
If you examine your pay stub, you’ll see that a certain amount of money has been withheld. Two taxes withheld are the federal tax
and FICA. FICA stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act. These taxes are used to fund Social Security and Medicare. Your
FICA and federal income taxes together take by far the biggest bite from your paycheck. In addition, you may have deductions for
state taxes, local taxes, and unemployment compensation.
The next largest source of revenue for the federal government is corporate taxes. Businesses pay taxes based on their estimated
earnings. They do so by paying quarterly taxes based on that estimate. At the end of the year, they must pay more taxes if their
income exceeds the estimate. Otherwise, they may get a refund.
The government also receives revenue from excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, telephone services, and gasoline. Other taxes
include fees collected for fines, custom duties, Federal Reserve profits, and penalties on late tax payments. Finally, the federal
government can borrow money to close a budget deficit. The 2015 budget is projected to have a deficit—that is, the government
will spend more than it takes in. The estimated deficit is $564 billion. The amount the government borrows to cover the deficit will
have to be paid back by future taxpayers. The last government surplus—that is, the government took in more than it spent—was in
2001.
An excise tax is a tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity or service. The government uses excise
taxes to support highways, airports, and airways.
If you’ve ever had to file a federal income tax return, you probably have an idea of how complicated the tax code is. Even people
with relatively simple returns often use tax services to complete their forms.
[Photo of tax form and calculator]
Completing a federal income

tax return can be an
overwhelming task.
Income may also be taxed at the state level. Some states, however, rely more heavily on revenues fromsales taxes. Sales taxes
are placed on things we buy—from groceries to tire wrenches. Sales tax laws vary greatly from state to state. Some states tax

almost everything; others tax only certain items. In addition, states have different amounts they charge in sales tax—say, 4
percent, 6 percent, or 7 percent. Sometimes states charge excise taxes on cigarettes, liquor, and gasoline. These taxes are in
addition to the federal excise taxes on the same items. Other state revenues come from charging for auto inspections and legal
services, such as issuing marriage licenses. Some state and local income comes from the federal government. These funds may
be designated for a particular project, such as highway construction and maintenance. Other federal funds go to state colleges and
universities.
At the local level, the most common tax is a property tax. A county or city assessor regularly determines the value of your property.
Usually that includes your home and any land you may own. Then, you’re taxed according to the assessment. In addition, state and
federal funds may also be designated for local budgets. For example, public schools get some of their money from state and
federal funds.
Where Does the Money Go?
The federal government spends its money on a wide variety of programs and services. Discretionary spending is the part of the
budget that goes through the appropriations process each year. The figure below combines many of the categories and illustrates
total spending. The following list outlines some of the expenditures of the federal government from largest amounts to smallest
amounts:
1. Entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid take the largest chunk of the federal budget. In the figure below,
healthcare and a percentage of pension spending are used to fund these entitlement programs. (An entitlement is a federal
benefits program available to individuals who meet certain requirements—for example, age or disability. The requirements of
an entitlement program are set by law.)
2. Defense funds support the armed forces and departments that serve veterans such as Veterans Affairs.
3. The Welfare section includes Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, and other income security
programs.
4. Interest on the federal debt consumes about 10 percent of the federal budget. Over the history of the United States, the
government has had to borrow money. If you own savings bonds, you’ve loaned money to the federal government. By law, you
must be paid a certain rate of interest on those bonds. Money spent on the federal debt includes interest paid on bonds, plus
the value of those bonds when they’re cashed in.
[Pie chart showing the distribution of tax spending]
This chart shows where your tax dollars go.
During World War II, the federal debt was enormous. It was offset by drives to sell war bonds, or freedom bonds. Posters and other
advertising methods encouraged people in the United States to purchase these bonds to help the cause of their country. Buying
war bonds was considered a patriotic duty.

Protecting the Nation
As you’ve already learned, the government is responsible for protecting and defending its citizens. The US government does this
mainly through three organizations:
1. The police
2. The armed forces (military)
3. Federal policing and intelligence agencies
Police
Under the Constitution, the recruitment and training of civil police is under the control of the states. Because state constitutions and
state laws vary, the laws police must enforce differ from state to state. State law enforcement is generally divided by jurisdiction.
For example, state police cover an entire state, but local police operate within their proper jurisdictions, which are the established
boundaries of their town or city. County law enforcement is generally under a sheriff’s department. The officers in a sheriff’s
department are called deputies.
The main duty of law enforcement officers is to uphold the law. They’re trained, above all, in enforcement procedures. They must
learn enough about the law to understand how it’s to be applied. For example, they must understand the laws of evidence to
properly investigate and prepare a case for prosecution. They must learn to respect the right of citizens—including suspects. They
must also learn a wide range of enforcement and investigative techniques. For example, law enforcement officers must be able to
identify and restrict access to a crime scene. They must learn a police radio code for talking to central dispatchers. They must be
well trained in the use of weapons and the conditions under which they’re to be used. They have to learn how to apprehend a
suspect without the use of unnecessary force.
[Photo of police officer

aiming a gun]
Police officers must

learn how and when to
use weapons.
All law enforcement officers must understand basic techniques for gathering evidence. However, specialists in gathering evidence
are called detectives. (In sheriffs’ departments, they’re called investigators.) Detectives are trained in investigating crime scenes
and interrogating suspects or witnesses. They’re crucial to gathering evidence that will lead to a prosecution.
Properly trained law enforcement officers are vital to civil order. Yet, especially in urban areas (cities), police work is stressful and
difficult. Enforcing the law often puts officers in harm’s way. Meanwhile, police are often first on the scene of an accident or
domestic crisis. Often they’re called on to settle disputes, render immediate first aid, or even deliver a baby.
[Photo of EMT assisting

someone in need]

Police officers,
firefighters, and other
emergency providers
must often work
together.
Law enforcement services must often be coordinated with those of emergency medical teams and firefighters. The need to
coordinate training and communications among emergency services has become increasingly evident. Someday, police
departments, rescue squads, and firefighters may operate under a unified command structure.
The Armed Services
The United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year on defense. Today, the United States is, by far, the most
powerful nation on Earth. The armed services of the United States are provided for by the government. In some countries,
however, the military is the government.
In some countries, a small group of military personnel may attempt to move in and take over the government. Sometimes these
groups use military force. Sometimes they just infiltrate important government offices and oust control from those in power. Such an
act is called a coup d’état (pronounced KOO day TAH). The term is a French expression that means a seizing of the state.
According to Edward Luttwak, author of Coup d’Etat: A Practical Handbook, any seizure of the government by extralegal tactics
may be considered a coup.
The framers of our Constitution saw to it that the United States armed forces (military) are under civilian control. The commander in
chief of the armed forces is the president of the United States, not a member of the military. The Department of Defense is a civil
agency headed by a civilian secretary of defense. In other words, those in control of the armed forces aren’t part of those
organizations. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a general in the army during World War II. However, when he became
president of the United States, he no longer held that office in the military. As you remember from early in this lesson, Eisenhower
was leery of connections between the military and large corporations.
[Photo of the Pentagon]
The Pentagon is like a

city itself. The length of
each outer wall is 921
feet. It has 19
escalators, 13 elevators,
284 restrooms, 691
drinking fountains, and
7,754 windows.
The Department of Defense has its headquarters in the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. It’s one of the largest office buildings in the

world. With five stories above ground and more than 17 miles of corridors, it’s a city in itself.
Within the Pentagon are the offices of the secretary of defense and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which consists of
chiefs of staff for the army, navy, and air force. The marines are part of the navy. The general who serves as chair of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff reports directly to the secretary of defense. Today, the use of combined forces is basic to United States military
operations. In a war, all of the branches of the military work together under a unified command.
The US military has divided the world into five military zones called commands:
[Photo of soldiers, a fighter
jet, and navy war ships]
Each branch of the

armed forces has a
different set of talents it
can offer to defend the
country. Working
together, the forces
present an awesome
front.
1. The European Command is responsible for most of Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.
2. The Central Command is responsible for the remaining portions of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Iraq, Iran,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several other countries in that area.
3. The Pacific Command encompasses the remainder of Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
4. The Southern Command looks after all of the nations south of Mexico and also the Caribbean Basin.
5. The Northern Command is the newest command area. It covers Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The Northern
Command was created by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in response to the war on terrorism and concerns for
homeland security.
Officers for the armed forces of the United States are often graduates of military academies. The US Military Academy at West
Point, New York, trains officer-cadets for the army. The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, trains cadets for officers in the
navy, and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, prepares its cadets to be officers in the air force.
The US Coast Guard also serves military purposes. It may cut off illegal shipments of drugs and other contraband. During a war, it
may serve as a coastal watch force. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Many of its duties, such as
search and rescue, are nonmilitary. The Coast Guard Academy is in New London, Connecticut.
Federal Policing and Intelligence Agencies
Federal policing. The federal government has several law enforcement agencies. Probably the most famous of these is the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It was established in 1908 under the Department of Justice.

[Photo of FBI agents examining a
crime scene in the woods]
FBI agents participate in a

variety of activities. They act as
the police and detectives for the
federal government.
The FBI is, above all, a police agency. It does for the nation what police and detectives do for the states. However, the jurisdiction
of the FBI is defined by federal laws, not state laws. FBI agents investigate cases of espionage (spying), terrorism, subversive
activities (attempts to overthrow the government), and sabotage (a civilian attempt to hinder a nation’s war effort)—all of which
attack the United States government. The agency is also concerned with organized crime, white collar (corporate) crime, and drug
law enforcement. Bank robbery and kidnapping are crimes in which federal and state jurisdictions overlap. In such cases, FBI
agents work with state and local police.
State police normally handle many cases that occur within a particular state. However, when a criminal crosses a state line in an
attempt to avoid prosecution, the FBI will get involved. Interstate flight to avoid prosecution is a federal offense.
Another agency of the Department of Justice is the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The DEA chief reports to the director of the
FBI. Since 1982, the FBI and the DEA have concurrent jurisdiction in pursuing the illegal narcotics trade. Finally the division of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) pursues tax violations related to these three things. ATF agents also search out and
confiscate illegal firearms.
Two federal policing agencies that operate under the Department of Homeland Security are the Secret Service and US Customs
and Border Protection. The Secret Service protects the president and other public officials. US Customs and Border
Protection regulates and facilitates international trade, collects import duties, and enforces US regulations, including trade,
customs, and immigration.
Intelligence agencies. Intelligence gathering is a part of all military operations. Intelligence officers and specialists are part of all
combat operation units. Serving broader armed service needs are the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Army Security Agency.
During World War II, the need for a centralized intelligence organization became clear. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was
formed. After the war, this became the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA director is appointed by the president and
reports directly to the president. Technically, therefore, the CIA is an agency of the executive office of the president. Its budget and
operations are secret. Therefore, the CIA has more freedom of action than other government agencies.
The CIA has two main purposes. First, it gathers and analyzes intelligence through worldwide media tracking, such as watching
international television and monitoring websites. The CIA also gathers information through covert surveillance, which may involve
informants or field agents, with high-altitude spy plane photography, and with orbital satellite image gathering. Most intelligence,
however, comes from such things as electronic bugging.
Covert means secret, hidden, or not openly shown.
Second, the agency carries out covert special operations. These operations are generally under the direction of the president and
the members of the National Security Council. Covert operations may include military-style special operations. They may also
include covert interventions into the affairs of foreign states. CIA field agents serve both information gathering and covert
operations purposes. Some are spies and others are special operations specialists. CIA agents are present in nearly all foreign

countries.
Working closely with the CIA is the National Security Agency (NSA). Like the CIA, the NSA was a spin-off from the original OSS.
The organization specializes in cryptanalysis, the process of looking for patterns in coded or encrypted messages. Cryptanalysis
depends on enormously powerful computers to perform these searches. A code-breaking operation in World War II was able to
break the German Enigma code. This allowed the allies to track the positions of German U-boats and win the Battle of the Atlantic.
Public Opinion and Media Influence
How Does Media Technology Affect Campaigns?
Modern media allows candidates to reach millions of people. For that reason, a very large portion of campaign spending is on
media. Television time claims the largest amount of campaign media dollars. But large amounts are also spent on radio and print
ads. Since 1960, a highlight of campaigns has been nationally televised candidate debates. A 1960 television debate between
John Kennedy and Richard Nixon turned out to be very important in turning voter opinion in Kennedy’s favor. The debate was
revealing. Most people who only listened to the debate felt Nixon had won. People who actually watched the debate were sure
Kennedy had won.
From that time forward, it has been important for candidates to be what public relations people call mediagenic. A person is
mediagenic if he or she comes across well in media—particularly television. Public relations techniques have become a big part of
campaigns. Therefore, appearance has become terribly important in wooing voters.
Critics have their doubts about this trend. For example, Abraham Lincoln was magnetic and persuasive as a speaker. But he wasn’t
what you would call handsome. In fact, his physical appearance was the constant subject of vicious editorial cartoons from his
opponents. Yet, most feel Lincoln was among America’s greatest presidents. Franklin Roosevelt was stricken with polio as a young
man. Therefore, he did a lot of his campaigning from the back of a special railway car that helped conceal his condition. He served
his four terms as president from a wheelchair. Even so, his leadership through the Great Depression and World War II was brilliant
and effective. These two examples raise an interesting question. Would either Abraham Lincoln or Franklin Roosevelt be elected in
this new age of television and mass media?
How Does Media Serve Those in Power?
The media is a powerful institution. Millions of people get their political information from newspapers, millions more from television,
and millions more from the Web. Thomas Jefferson observed that a free press is at the heart of democracy. People who are
uninformed can’t participate intelligently in the democratic process.
Through the years, people in power have used media properly and appropriately. The Federalist Papers were published in
newspapers before the Constitution was accepted. Through them, many Americans received good information on what was
necessary to form a new nation. Roosevelt’s fireside chats on radio kept Americans informed during the Great Depression and
World War II. Modern media permits presidential press conferences and addresses to be seen and heard by millions of people.
Sometimes politicians try to control information handled by the media. And sometimes the media reporting is biased to reflect
personal opinions or the opinions of the company they work for. Some ways in which this can be accomplished are spin, faulty
rhetoric (political rhetoric), and misinformation. When these processes are used, the democratic process suffers.
Political spin. Political spin is putting potentially negative facts in a favorable light. It involves explaining an event or a program in
such a way as to advance a particular political platform. Political spin is common in campaign ads. It’s also common in political
speeches. For example, suppose a politician is proposing a tax increase. The politician explains that the increase will mean only
200moreayearforfamilies. T hisfigure, however, isjustanaveragebasedonthetotalnumberoftaxpayers. Infact, somefamilieswillpayalotmorethanthe
200. The politician is putting spin on the proposal to make it appear in a favorable light.
Political rhetoric. The word rhetoric originally referred to the art of effective oral or written argument. Today, popular use of the

word has changed its meaning. The word rhetoric as it’s used today often refers to empty arguments based on emotion rather than
reason. Suppose a politician makes this statement: “My plan for public education will open the future for America’s children.” This is
an empty argument or proposition because it doesn’t refer to facts. Instead, it appeals to emotions. The plan in question may or
may not “open the future for America’s children.” Also, the politician presents no facts to explain what kind of future the plan will
open. However, the statement may make the listeners beam with feel-good emotions. In fact, that’s often the point of both spin and
political rhetoric.
Modern advertising techniques depend on putting a spin on facts and appealing to emotions. The problem is that these same
techniques are applied to campaign ads and political campaign speeches. The trick is to think about what you hear. Remember
that feelings aren’t facts and that facts should be judged by reason. A politician’s dramatic television ad may make you laugh a little
or cry a little. Even so, you don’t have to believe everything it says.
Misinformation. Misinformation amounts to telling lies or withholding the truth. At their worst, spin and political rhetoric are
misinformation. In the political process, misinformation is the most serious abuse of media by people in power. Political
misinformation is often found in so-called attack ads. A candidate in a television ad may stare solemnly into the camera and
declare, “A vote for my opponent will be a vote for higher taxes.” In fact, the opponent in question may be running on a platform
that has nothing to do with raising taxes. This is an instance of misinformation.
Propaganda is a term often used in reference to the spreading of information by politicians. People often misuse the word
propaganda to mean lies or misinformation. That may be true, but not always. Simply put, propaganda is information (false or true)
that’s published in some way for the purpose of controlling or changing the attitudes or opinions of others.
Foreign Policy
Who Is Responsible for American Foreign Policy?
The main person to craft American foreign policy has historically been the president and occasionally a strong secretary of state.
Here are some well-known examples.
Thomas Jefferson made the decision to buy the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon of France.
James Monroe established the Monroe Doctrine, which became a foundation for the foreign policy of the United States.
Basically, the Monroe Doctrine stated that the American continents were closed to any future European colonization.
Europeans weren’t to interfere with governments in America and the United States wouldn’t interfere in European affairs.
William Seward, secretary of state for both Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, was mainly responsible for purchasing
Alaska from Russia in 1867.
After World War II, President Harry S. Truman endorsed the Economic Recovery Act (ERA) first proposed by his secretary of
state, George Catlett Marshall. The Marshall Plan poured billions of dollars into Germany and Western Europe to reestablish
economic health and build democratic states. It turned out to be a good plan.
In Japan, General Douglas MacArthur took a unique role in American foreign policy. He became the absolute governor of
Nippon (a Japanese name for Japan). Under his rule, Japan adopted a constitutional monarchy. The nation was totally
disarmed. Democratic reforms gave women the right to vote and workers the right to organize. Japan was remade.
MacArthur’s case is unique: truly, no American military commander ever had such power over American foreign policy—before
or since.

[Illustration of the state of Alaska and description of how the land was purchased]
What is America's Foreign Policy?
Historically, the United States has had two opposing points of view about foreign policy.
Early leaders like George Washington warned against becoming entangled with foreign alliances. This policy is calledisolationism.
There are two very large oceans on both sides of the United States. Many Americans have felt that foreign matters were for
foreigners. What goes on in France or China is of no concern in Iowa. Americans strongly resisted getting involved in World War I.
The war started in 1914, and the United States didn’t get into the act until 1917. Another period of isolationism followed World War
I. When Hitler rose to power in Europe in the 1930s, most Americans wanted no part of the matter. It took the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, to get Americans stirred to arms.
On the opposite side of isolationism is the view that the United States must defend its foreign interests, especially in trade. America
has always been a trading nation. New England clipper ships were crossing the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans as other
Americans declared they wanted no part of foreign entanglements. American trading ships visited ports from the Mediterranean to
the China Sea. In time, trading interests led to new American policies. The government acted to support the opening of new foreign
markets for American goods.
[Figure describing the Four Freedoms]
Since the other major powers were trying to support their own foreign markets, conflicts of interest began, which led toimperialism.

Imperialism is a foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against other foreign
powers.
The powerful nations struggled to gain the upper hand in the control of world trade. The leader in all this was Great Britain. The
British Empire stretched across the globe. On the other hand, imperialism of the United States was limited. Even so, after the
Spanish American War (1898), it occupied territories from Cuba, to Hawaii, to the Philippines. Eventually, America’s Pacific
territories threatened Japanese interests. This eventually led to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
What Are Some Examples of Handling Foreign Policy?
The foreign policy of the United States has mostly been shaped by world events. For example, World War II made the United
States into a dominant world power. The Marshall Plan went into effect. American postwar foreign policy was aimed at creating
democratic allies from former enemies. By 1947, it was clear that the Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR) and
the United States were the world’s two superpowers. Winston Churchill declared that an “iron curtain” had descended across
Europe. He meant that the democratic states of Western Europe were cut off from Soviet puppet states in Eastern Europe. Soviet
nuclear and conventional military might threatened the free world. In response, the United States was active in forming the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which created a unified military force for the defense of Western Europe.
Before World War I, it was said that the sun never set on the British Empire. In fact, that was literally true. British colonies included
Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The British flag flew in the far Pacific, in India, over many African states, and all around the
globe.
American foreign policy during the Cold War (1947–1989) had two aims—deterrence (using the credible threat of retaliation to
avoid an enemy attack) and containment (the practice of keeping something from spreading). The deterrence policy depended on
mutual assured destruction (MAD). Mutual assured destruction refers to a situation in which two opposing sides have nuclear
weapons. If one side uses the weapons on the other, the second side would answer back by doing the same. Both sides would, in
effect, be destroyed.
As an example of this, consider the situation of the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Both nations possessed
thermonuclear (hydrogen) bombs. Both nations had them ready to fire at a moment’s notice. Had war started, you probably
wouldn’t be reading this right now. The industrialized world would have been destroyed.
In October of 1962, the world came very close to such an encounter. American spy planes spotted Soviet missiles in Cuba—just 90
miles off American shores. Then, Cuba was under the communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro. At that time, the Soviet Premier,
Nikita Khrushchev, was pouring support and arms into Cuba. The Joint Chiefs of Staff wanted President John Kennedy to invade
Cuba. He resisted their efforts to convince him to do so. Instead, he crafted a masterful plan. He set up a naval quarantine around
Cuba. He didn’t call it a blockade. Under international law, a blockade would have been an act of war. Then, behind the scenes,
Kennedy negotiated with Khrushchev through the Soviet foreign minister in Washington. Kennedy secretly agreed to remove
American nuclear missiles from Turkey—a NATO ally. In return, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba. Everybody
began to breathe again.

[Photo of a missile and description of the Cuban Missile Crisis]
The containment part of the American foreign policy had to do with preventing Russia from expanding her territories. Containment
had two components:
1. Open conflicts
2. A long war involving intelligence and covert (hidden) operations
Two major wars were fought to contain the Russians. The Korean War broke out in 1950 while Harry Truman was president.
Troops from communist North Korea invaded South Korea. For the first time, a United Nations war coalition was formed. It was
dominated by the United States, but troops from many nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Turkey,
participated. The Korean War had no clear outcome. Late in the war, Communist Chinese troops entered the conflict on the side of
North Korea. China also had support from the Soviet Union. Truman decided against letting the war spread further by using nuclear
weapons. The conflict was settled with an uneasy treaty that divided the two Koreas at the 38th parallel of latitude. American armed
forces remain in South Korea to this day.
The second war was an effort to keep communist North Vietnam from overrunning South Vietnam. Once again, communist China
supported the North under its leader, Ho Chi Minh. The brutal Vietnam War cost more than 50,000 American lives and more than
2,000,000 lives of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians. American forces won all the major battles, but not the war. In 1973, American
troops were withdrawn from a hopeless struggle.
Containment policy also involved a long, deadly struggle between American and Soviet covert forces. Both superpowers tried to
undermine the influence of the other. Secret and not-so-secret operations were carried out in many places. The two main
underground antagonists were the Soviet KGB and the CIA of the United States. Intelligence agencies from Great Britain and Israel
also played a part. There were many covert operations to sway governments into the American or the Soviet sphere of influence.
For example, the Soviet Union supplied aid and weapons to Egypt, Libya, Angola, and Cuba, along with many Southeast Asian
states. The CIA intervened in Iran, Iraq, and in various Central American and South American nations.
The Soviet Union began to collapse in 1989. In large measure, this collapse was due to the foreign policy of President Ronald
Reagan. He borrowed heavily to build American military power. The Soviet economy couldn’t match these expenditures. The last
Soviet Premier, Mikhail Gorbachev, initiated political reforms to lead the USSR away from being a police state. He and Reagan
met four times to negotiate new relations between their countries. But Gorbachev’s new political openness opened the floodgates
in his country. Oppressed people under Soviet rule rose up to claim liberty. The nations of Eastern Europe, led by Poland, claimed

independence. By 1991, a new Russian Republic was formed. Some former Soviet republics, such as Ukraine and Belarus,
became independent. Others formed part of the new Russian Republic.
[Photo of President Ronald Reagan]
Since 1991, the foreign policy of the United States has been uncertain. The United States is now the world’s only superpower. It
spends more on weapons and defense than the next five major military powers combined. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union,
some political leaders have wanted the United States to stay out of world conflicts as much as possible. Others have wanted the
United States to shape world affairs. It was the old isolationist versus foreign interests dispute.
Then came the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Since that day, American foreign
policy has focused on a war against international terrorism. American political leaders who want the United States to shape and
control world affairs have gained the upper hand. Since September 11, United States forces have invaded Afghanistan. The corrupt
Taliban regime was overthrown. The Taliban was in alliance with al-Qaida, a group which had been under the lead of a wealthy
Saudi Arabian national, Osama bin Laden. It was al-Qaida that planned and carried out the 9-11 attacks. Osama Bin Laden was
killed during a United States operation in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. The international al-Qaida network still exists and remains
opposed to all Western political and economic interests. However, al-Qaida is only one of a number of terrorist groups operating
across the globe. Terrorist organizations now threaten civil order in just about every nation you can mention.
As part of the war on terrorism, the United States has been involved in what’s called nation building. Some political leaders feel that
nation building isn’t good foreign policy. They fear a new era of American imperialism. However, efforts were made to reshape
Afghanistan and Iraq into democratic and capitalist states. The outcome desired by the United States for Iraq is in grave doubt as
the terrorist organization ISIS threatens stability. In Afghanistan the Taliban still carries out attacks and fights against the
government, which is supported by the United States.
A New Order for the Ages
[Illustration of the Great Seal]
The Great Seal of the United

States was designed by
Benjamin Franklin, John
Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

The Great Seal of the United States was designed in 1776. On the front is a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. The
bird is holding an olive branch in one claw and arrows in the other. These symbolize the power of peace (olive branch) and war
(arrows). On the eagle is a shield with 13 stripes, one for each of the original colonies. Above the bird is the inscription E Pluribus
Unum, which means “out of many one.”
On the back of the Great Seal are two Latin inscriptions. One is Annuit Coeptis, which appears directly above the eye of
Providence. According to the United States State Department, this phrase should be translated “He [God, or the eye of Providence]
has favored our undertakings.” The second inscription is Novus Ordo Seclorum, which means “a new order of the ages.” The
founding fathers and others at the time realized that they were trying to establish a new kind of nation. It would be like no other ever
conceived.
At the Constitutional Convention, Ben Franklin spoke to all those who were assembled. Perhaps you remember this from a
previous unit. He said that there were parts of the Constitution with which he didn’t agree. He also said the Constitution would be a
blessing to the people if the new government was wisely administered. But he also spoke a dark warning. This government may
fail, he said. If it does, it will be because of the corruption of the people. Franklin was a very wise man. He understood that the
great American experiment must contend with human nature. Ultimately, if this is to be a nation of, by, and for the people, it’s in our
hands. It’s in your hands.

READING ASSIGNMENT
Key Points
Most of the money that goes to the federal government comes from personal income taxes and payroll taxes.
An excise tax is a tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity or service. The government uses
excise taxes to support highways, airports, and airways.
Money received by the federal government goes to entitlement programs, defense, welfare, and interest on the federal debt.
The US government protects and defends its citizens through the police, the armed forces, and other government police and
intelligence agencies.
The Department of Defense is housed in the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
An important policing agency of the federal government is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a federal agency responsible for gathering intelligence and carrying out covert special
operations.
Media reporting may reflect opinions through the use of spin, faulty rhetoric, and misinformation.
Propaganda is information (false or true) that’s published in some way for the purpose of controlling or changing the attitudes
or opinions of others.
The main person to craft American foreign policy has historically been the president and occasionally a strong secretary of
state.
George Washington and other early leaders wanted the United States to avoid becoming entangled with foreign alliances, a
policy known as isolationism.
Imperialism is a foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against other foreign
powers.
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, American foreign policy has focused on a war against international terrorism.
Links
Revenue Sources for Federal Government (www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm)

Real Time Information on US Debt (www.usdebtclock.org/)
US Department of Defense (www.defense.gov/)
US State Department (www.state.gov/)

Exercise: All About the Money
1. What are excise taxes?

2. What are the two main sources of income for the federal government?
3. How does the government spend the nondefense discretionary part of the federal budget?
4. What are entitlements?

Exercise: All About the Money
1. Excise taxes are federal or state taxes placed on commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, and gasoline. 2. The two main sources
of revenue for the federal government are personal income taxes and social insurance taxes. 3. The federal government spends its
money on a wide variety of programs and services. Discretionary spending is the part of the budget that goes through the
appropriations process each year. 4. Government entitlements are welfare programs paid for by taxes or by government borrowing.
Examples are Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Lesson 4 Review
Self-Check
1. Which one of the following is a requirement when becoming a US citizen?
a. You must have a basic knowledge of the history and government of the United States.
b. You must be under the age of 18.
c. You must live in the United States for at least one year.
d. You must be married.
2. Which one of the following is someone who authorizes another to act as agent?
a. Interest Group
b. Reference Librarian
c. Conscientious Objector
d. Constituent
3. In which one of the following states do you not have to register to vote?
a. New Hampshire
b. North Carolina
c. New Mexico
d. North Dakota
4. Who is credited with creating the mascot, or symbol, for both the Republican and Democratic parties?
a. Daniel Nast
b. Thomas Pane
c. James Madison
d. Thomas Nast
5. The earliest primaries are held in which two states?
a. Maine and New Hampshire
b. New Hampshire and Iowa
c. New Jersey and Iowa

d. Ohio and New Hampshire
6. Which one of the following is the largest industries today?
a. Farming
b. Media
c. The automobile industry
d. Banking and financial services
7. Which one of the following taxes goes toward 80 percent of the money given to the federal government?
a. Local Taxes
b. State Taxes
c. Property Taxes
d. Personal Income Taxes
8. The US military has divided the world into five military zones called
a. territories.
b. commands.
c. regions.
d. areas.
9. What is it called when the media puts a potentially negative facts in a favorable light?
a. Political spin
b. Political rhetoric
c. Misinformation
d. Propaganda
10. Which one of the following is a foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against
other foreign powers?
a. Isolationism
b. Imperialism
c. Absolutism
d. Federalism
Self-Check Answer Key
1. You must have a basic knowledge of the history and government of the United States.
Explanation: To become a United States citizen you must meet certain qualifications. Here are just a few of those
requirements: - After you receive your green card, you must live in the United States for at least five years. - You must be of
good moral character. That generally means you shouldn’t have a criminal record of any kind. - You must have a basic
knowledge of simple English. - You must be at least 18 years old. - You must have a basic knowledge of the history and
government of the United States.
Reference: Section 4.1
2. Constituent
Explanation: A constituent is someone who authorizes another to act as agent. In government, the people are the constituents
of their elected officials.
3. North Dakota
Explanation: You must meet four basic requirements to vote: - You must be at least 18 years old. - You must be a citizen of the
United States. - You must have resided in a state for a certain period of time. Usually, that’s 30 days or more. - In every state
except North Dakota, you must register to vote.

4. Thomas Nast
Explanation: Thomas Nast, a cartoonist, is credited with creating the mascot, or symbol, for both the Republican and
Democratic parties. In 1874, he depicted a Republican issue as an elephant. At the same time, he depicted the opposition to
this issue as a donkey. The symbols have stuck to this day.
5. New Hampshire and Iowa

Explanation: The earliest primaries are held in New Hampshire and Iowa, so they often get a lot of attention.
6. Media
Explanation: One of the largest industries today is the media. Media includes all the ways of storing and transferring
information. Newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, movie producers, and the Internet are media.
7. Personal Income Taxes

Explanation: In fact, 80 percent of the money that goes to the federal government comes from two sources: - Personal income
taxes - Payroll taxes
8. commands.
Explanation: The US military has divided the world into five military zones called commands.
9. Political spin
Explanation: Political spin is putting potentially negative facts in a favorable light. It involves explaining an event or a program
in such a way as to advance a particular political platform. Political spin is common in campaign ads.
10. Imperialism
Explanation: Imperialism is a foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against
other foreign powers.
Flash Cards
1. Term: Due Process
Definition: Fair treatment by both the courts and the police
2. Term: Naturalization
Definition: A legal process by which a person becomes a citizen of the United States
3. Term: Duty
Definition: A moral or legal obligation
4. Term: Jury Duty

Definition: The legal obligation to serve on a jury when called to do so

5. Term: Conscientious Objector
Definition: Someone who refuses to fight in the military based on religious or moral principles
6. Term: Interest Group

Definition: A voluntary association that seeks to publicly promote and create advantages for its cause
7. Term: Constituent
Definition: Someone who authorizes another to act as agent
8. Term: Motor-Voter Laws

Definition: Laws that allow people to register to vote when they get their driver’s licenses or have them renewed
9. Term: C-Span
Definition: A nationwide television network that broadcasts things like the Senate and House sessions
10. Term: Political Party

Definition: A group of people who have the same political views and agendas
11. Term: Candidate

Definition: A person who is seeking nomination to an office
12. Term: Monopoly

Definition: When one company controls the entire market for a particular good or service
13. Term: Revenue

Definition: The income a government receives (such as from taxes) for public use
14. Term: Excise Tax

Definition: A tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of a commodity or service
15. Term: Covert

Definition: Secret, hidden, or not openly shown
16. Term: Propaganda

Definition: A term often used in reference to the spreading of information by politicians
17. Term: Imperialism

Definition: A foreign policy aimed at controlling foreign trade by holding colonies and defending them against other foreign powers
18. Term: Open Primary

Definition: Election in which voters can vote for any candidate
19. Term: Party Platform

Definition: The goals and plans of a political party
20. Term: National Labor Relations Board

Definition: Oversees labor-management disputes

21. Term: Lobbyists
Definition: Professionals hired by interest groups to help them in their causes

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Civics : The Political Process

4.1 Define US citizenship

[Photo of the Statue of Liberty]

The Statue of Liberty was a gift

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 1

The US Constitution defines citizenship in the Fourteenth Amendment:

[Figure listing the conditions for being U.S. citizen at birth]

The definition of a natural-born citizen is rather detailed and complex.

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 2

1. Adopting stronger penalties against illegal immigration

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 3

The Rights of Citizens in a Democratic Nation

[Illustration showing the naturalization oath]

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 4

The First Amendment gives you the right to

Worship as you wish (freedom of worship)

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 5

Responsibilities of Citizens in a Democratic Nation

Making Your Voice Heard

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 6

[Photo students looking at a computer

Most public libraries have

Access GovTrack.us (www.govtrack.us/congress/members) to find your representatives.

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 7

To vote, you must meet four basic requirements. You must

1. Be at least 18 years old

[Figure showing a voter registration application]

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 8

So, who votes? Here’s what political scientists tell us:

[Table listing the percentage of people

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 9

Key Points and Links

Naturalization Process (www.citizenshipworks.org/learn/)

Exercise: Voter's Questionnaire

Based on what you've read, answer the following questions.

1. Are you at least 18 years old?

Exercise Answer Key:

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 10

Based on what you've read, answer the following questions.

1. What are motor-voter laws?

Exercise Answer Key:

4.2 Describe the US political system

The Two-Party System

Republicans sometimes refer to their party as the "party of Lincoln."

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 11

Timeline of the United States Two-Party System

[Illustration of the Republican and Democratic mascots designed by Thomas Nast]

The Know-Nothing Party of the 1840s and '50s was anti-immigrant.

Third parties have been important in three ways:

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 12

The Election Process

A candidate is a person who is seeking the nomination to an office.

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 13

During a presidential campaign,

[Photo of a sign that reads Vote Here

Find out where your voting

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 14

When you enter a polling place,

© 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Civics (v1) : Lesson 4 : Page 15

Special Interest Groups

Corporate-Industrial Interest Groups

The automobile industry