Civics, Civility, and Critical Thinking
Contributed by Estella Lavrik and her committee with Student Government—Students Speak Up for Kids Volunteers.
Overview
Civics is the study of citizenship. Civics may seem like a confusing topic, but it is present all around you. While civic engagement does take the form of legal duties like voting and paying taxes, it also extends to community involvement as a whole, which could include signing a petition, volunteering, and even simply staying informed about local issues. Every effort makes a difference in the long run, big or small.
Civility works hand-in-hand with civics. Civility involves treating others with respect, even when you disagree with them. You can adopt civility in your everyday life by not just being nice, but also actively trying to understand others’ points of view. Recognizing everyone else’s feelings and beliefs alongside your own is an important skill in government, too; officials must account for all needs in order to take the best action.
Federal, State, and Local Governments
As a citizen, it’s important to understand the government structure of the United States. It can be looked at as three different levels: federal (national), state, and local. Separating these levels allows for every viewpoint to be heard so the government can effectively tackle issues across the country.
Federal: The national government is the central governing body of the United States. It has specific powers granted to it by the Constitution, such as declaring war and coining money. The federal government is also split into three separate but equal branches:
Legislative - Makes laws (Congress, made up of the House and Senate)
Executive - Enforces laws (President, the Cabinet, and federal agencies)
Judicial - Interprets laws (Supreme Court and lower courts)
State: Statewide governments have reserved powers, including regulating public education as well as health and safety measures within the state. They also share certain powers with the federal government, like the power to tax.
Local: Local governments are created and delegated (given) powers by their state governments. They handle direct services like police and fire departments. If you are trying to make a difference in your immediate community, local officials are likely the easiest to reach to make sure your voice is heard.
Rights and Responsibilities of US Citizenship
There are differences between your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. Your rights are guaranteed to you by the Constitution, while your responsibilities are not forced upon you but are things you should do.
Rights: The first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution outline your rights as a citizen. No one is allowed to deny you these rights.
Freedom of speech - You are free to express your opinions and beliefs without the fear of censorship (as long as your speech does not endanger others).
Right to due process - Due process of law means fair procedures; you are allowed a chance to defend yourself in the face of persecution.
Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures - An officer cannot search or seize your assets without probable cause or a warrant.
Responsibilities: Treat your responsibilities as duties to improve your community around you. They include both mandatory legal obligations and voluntary actions.
Voting - You are able to vote in the U.S. once you turn 18 years old. You are not forced to vote, but voting is important to make sure your voice is heard.
Serving on a jury - You may be randomly selected for jury duty as an adult to help decide the facts of a legal case. Not everyone who is summoned will end up serving on a jury, but those who do help facilitate the unbiased legal system.
Paying taxes - Not paying your taxes on time can result in minor repercussions, like interest on the unpaid amount, to severe criminal consequences.
Interacting with Public Officials
Communicating with public officials, both local and otherwise, is important in making an impact as a citizen. It’s a win-win situation, really; you get your ideas heard and possibly incorporated into real change, and officials receive important feedback from the citizens they preside over.
Some ways you can interact with public officials are through public forums and social media. To be effective, you should clearly state your position. Make sure you are concise (short and to-the-point), as officials often have many inquiries to respond to at once.
Evaluating Online Sources
Civics does not just extend to things that are in-person; it is important to adapt critical thinking skills online, too. The internet is a very open space, filled with contributions from both field experts and everyday people. While this allows for all perspectives to be heard, many non-credible sources circulate online. Here are some methods to ensure the sources you use - whether for research, education, or entertainment - are reliable:
Read Beyond the Headlines: To check if an article is misleading, look for real evidence. Are they citing credible sources (such as scientific studies) or just spouting random numbers? Even if an article is truthful, it can be outdated, so ensure you check the date it was published along with the dates any citations were published. Lastly, you can analyze images and videos within the article to make sure they are not generated by artificial intelligence (AI), which can also be misleading.
Separate Fact from Fiction: You can also check to see if an article is credible by evaluating its author. If an author is biased, their article runs the risk of not being as accurate due to being clouded by someone’s judgment. Check any authors' and publishers' credentials through thorough research, and try to analyze the purpose for which the article was written - is the author trying to sell you something, push their own beliefs, damage someone else’s reputation, or just simply spread correct information?
Final Thoughts
Overall, civics is a crucial topic to educate yourself on. The more knowledge you gain, the better equipped you will be to make decisions and judgments in the real world. Choose to stay informed!
