Active Citizen Essay

734 Words2 Pages

As times change, so too does the role of a citizen in American society. The current situation in America calls everyone to take on the role of an active citizen and put their best foot forward. We as a nation face many social, economic, and international conflicts. It is the common belief in America that we are to set the example for democracy. If this is true, then Ralph Nader describes our situation best, “There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship” (DoOneThing.org). To set the example that is needed, citizens must employ the three forms of citizenship in everyday life. As residents of the United States, the majority of people living here are legal citizens. They have either been born here or naturalized. Being a legal citizen …show more content…

Duty-based citizenship is the biggest responsibility and privilege of a legal citizen in a democracy. To live in a country that is a democracy is a blessing and should not be taken lightly. Having a voice in a government requires action from the people with that voice. Preserving a democracy and all it entails means that it is vital for people to obey laws and pay taxes. Obeying laws is essential for a democracy because they are mainly passed to keep citizens safe. Simple things like wearing a seatbelt go a long way in setting an example for the next generation about what being a good citizen looks like. Other laws like prohibiting murder and robbery under the law are more obviously passed to keep citizens safe and keep up healthy social order. This along with paying the taxes that fund our government, voting, and serving on a jury or in the armed forces help to maintain a safe democracy that is infused with freedom, equality and …show more content…

Engaged citizenship is the third form of citizenship and allows citizens to shape how they want their country to run and be viewed in a different approach than voting. This form is more informal and works duly on a volunteer basis. To participate in this form there are many opportunities that range from acting as a government watchdog to protesting and exercising your right to assemble. Different methods such as these are ways to institute real change besides voting. This form also includes bettering society from a human standpoint. Helping the less fortunate either through donations or volunteering in places such as a soup kitchen or shelter can change lives and ultimately make society stronger and more unified. The most overlooked way to participate is by choosing the products that are bought carefully and from an informed perspective as a consumer. Knowledgeable consumers determine what products stay around and voice their opinions about these products to the companies that produce them by purchasing the products that are made by a particular process or made with or without certain ingredients. Examples could include buying cereal that has no artificial preservatives or organic produce grown without pesticides. Little acts similar to these sculpt society into what we as citizens want it to be, beyond what the government

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