Citizenship of America

Over two hundred years ago an experiment began involving a revolutionary new type of self-government. This successful experiment was based on the idea that government gets its power from its citizens. The principle of “by the people, for the people” is a shining beacon for the other peoples of the world.

The heritage of liberties for the individual and a responsive government was set in the documents and laws that was the backbone of the republic. The United States government system is based on the idea of citizenship. U.S. citizens are entitled to many rights and privileges provided to them by law. In return, however, citizens owe many obligations to their country. In the U.S. citizens elect people to represent them and to make and uphold the laws on their behalf. These representatives hold responsibility to the people who elected them into office and they hold a public trust.

For the American system of government to function it is up to the individual citizen to exercise his or her rights, including the right to vote. To make intelligent choices citizens should be informed. To be informed, citizens of the U.S. should keep aware of national, state, and local issues.

Even people who are too young to participate in voting do enjoy certain rights as citizens and their opinions do matter. What the citizens think plays a huge role in molding government policy. Participation in the democratic process is key. To fully participate, citizens of the U.S. must understand their heritage that is so vitally democratic. As well they should understand how their government works. Only through continued involvement by its citizens can the United States keep its freedom and liberty alive in the future. This two hundred year old experiment will only continue to be a success if its citizens guard their liberties and fulfill their obligations as citizens.

The United States was created through war, however the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution established the basis for the new nation. Both of these documents were influenced by the political and social philosophies of the eighteenth century, particularly the writings of English philosopher John Locke. According to what Locke wrote people have some specific rights. These are the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to own property. He also wrote that the purpose of a government was to protect the rights of the citizens. A government failing in this responsibility would be subject to being replaced.