People often complain about how much the government is involved in our lives. Actually it is the governments, plural, as the federal, state, tribal, local (city, township, county) governments promulgate regulations, impose taxes, provide infrastructure, and sponsor social programs.

The history of Western governments, and of the United States, is one of a gradual lessening of, and finally a rejection of, central monarchy, and an increase and establishment of the role of the people. Nevertheless, concerns about the power and powers of governments, mainly the federal government, continue today.

Foreign policy encompasses the policies and strategies that the government uses in dealing with other – i.e., foreign nations. It covers many things, but it’s ultimate purpose is to protect and pursue the country’s own self-interest.

What does it mean to be (an) American? Can a person be American and something in addition? What is at the core of the American identity?

Is your salary public information? A previous Civics U article dealt with persons’ right to privacy and different ways that this right is applied. The right to privacy normally includes the right of a private citizen to have information about their personal finances kept private – up to a point. And in many situations this includes keeping one’s salary confidential.

The purpose and goal of civic education is to equip and motivate people to become engaged citizens. Engagement in social and political activities and institutions can take many forms at the national, state, and local levels, ranging from writing a reasoned letter to the editor to marching with placards to expressing support for, or opposition to, an action or cause.

There is another right that many regard as fundamental and equally important: the right to privacy. But this right is not included in the Bill of Rights, at least not explicitly. However, it underlies and is implied in several of the explicit rights.

There are two main reasons why people from other countries have come to America: the opportunity to be free, and the opportunity to prosper (become prosperous). While these are distinct from one another, they are also interrelated, even as captured in the famous line “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” in Emma Lazarus’ poem, New Colossus.

People’s rights and human rights commonly refers firstly to individual and civil rights. For example, examine just these first five items of the Bill of Rights and the UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights.

Americans have many rights and freedoms – perhaps more than people in any other country. How did this come to be? And what is the situation today in this regard?