Public Services and Civic Duties
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What you will learn
- 1Define what public services are and explain how they are funded
- 2Identify examples of public services provided by the government
- 3Explain what civic duties are and why citizens must fulfill them
- 4Distinguish between public services and civic duties
Mini Lesson
A community is made up of people who live, work, and learn together. To keep a community safe, educated, and healthy, governments provide public services — things that benefit everyone. These services are paid for by taxes that citizens contribute.
Public Services
- Public services are provided by the government for the benefit of all citizens.
- They are funded by taxes — money collected from people and businesses.
- Examples: schools and libraries (education), public hospitals and health clinics (health), roads and bridges (transport), police (safety), fire department (emergency), trash collection (sanitation), and parks (recreation).
- Without public services, communities would struggle to function safely and fairly.
Civic Duties
- Civic duties are the responsibilities that citizens are expected — or required — to fulfill.
- Paying taxes: citizens contribute money so the government can fund public services.
- Obeying laws: following the rules that keep everyone safe and treat people fairly.
- Voting: taking part in elections to choose leaders and make community decisions.
- Jury duty: serving on a jury to help deliver justice in a court case.
- Respecting others and taking care of public spaces are also important civic duties.
Why Both Matter
- Public services and civic duties work together: citizens fulfill duties (e.g. pay taxes) so the government can provide services (e.g. build roads).
- When everyone plays their part, the whole community benefits.
Words to know
public service
A service provided by the government for the benefit of all citizens, funded by taxes.
civic duty
A responsibility that citizens are expected or required to fulfill for the good of the community.
taxes
Money collected by the government from citizens and businesses to pay for public services.
citizen
A person who belongs to and has rights and responsibilities in a country or community.
community
A group of people who live in the same area and share services and responsibilities.
government
The group of people with authority to make and enforce laws and provide services for a country or community.
Tip: Public services come FROM the government TO you. Civic duties go FROM you TO the community. Both directions are needed!
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