Social Studies

• Government

  A group of people who manage the affairs or goals of a country, as well as regulate activities of its society
• In most countries today, governments are elected by the citizens of a country
• Main functions of government

  • Making and enforcing laws to help maintain order
  • Providing economic policies that will allow businesses to create jobs and provide services
  • Providing public services like education, health care, road building, providing utilities such as electricity and water
  • Protecting its citizens with police and armed forces
  • Working with other countries to promote trade and international cooperation
• Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say or participation in the decisions that affect their lives. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a democracy.
• • Democracy is based on the principles of fairness, justice, respect and honor.) • Everyone should be treated equally and fairly, and with respect. • There should be respect for the law, for human rights and for civil liberties. • There should be free and fair elections to choose people who will govern. • The people who are elected to serve should do so with honour and be held accountable for what they do.
• Reasons we need a government

  • Convenience - Humans are gregarious (social) beings. As such, it is more convenient and practical for a group of people to make rules and laws than for each member of the entire country to become involved.
  • Qualification of leaders - All the people in a country cannot spend all their time making rules; instead, this authority is given to their leaders who are most qualified to do so.
  • A group accomplishes more than an individual - As most governments comprise a group of persons, they are more able to get things done, because a group can accomplish jobs that are too big for one individual to do.
  • Law and order - In order for a country or society to move forward, and for the citizens to have freedom to live without fear for their lives and property, there must be law and order. Selecting a government and giving it powers to make and maintain laws helps to ensure order in a country. Without a government, there would be chaos, confusion and anarchy in society.
• We all belong to groups. A social group is made up of two or more people who work together to achieve a common purpose or goal. For example, you can be a part of a family, a club or class at school, a church group or a sports club.
• Groups allow us to: • work towards a common aim or goal/objective • share common interests and needs • create a sense of unity • create a sense of identity and belonging • do activities together or interact together often • have common rules of behaviour sanctions or rewards.
• Types of groups: social(family and friends),school ,religious ,sports, charity and community and cultural.
• The constitution is a written document that sets out the laws by which a country is governed. It outlines: • how government is structured • the powers of government • the rights and responsibility of its citizens • how governments are chosen • the role of the civil service.
• A referendum is an opportunity for eligible people to vote on a particular issue. Referendums play an important role in modern democracies, because they allow people to have a say in how they are ruled.
• When a country or group separates from a larger group from which it belongs, this is known as secession. An example includes the withdrawal of Southern states from the federal union in 1860/61 at the start of the American Civil War
• Anarchy is when law and order breaks down in a country and is often characterised by an absence of government, political disorder, and confusion and lawlessness.
• Mountains are large features that are usually very steep, over 600 m high and form a peak at the top. They can be found on their own or form part of a group called a mountain range.
• Trinidad’s highest mountains are in the Northern rang e.g El cerro del Aripo (940m),El tucuche (936m),Peña de Juangalo (727m).
• Tobago highest point is Pigeon Point (576m)
• Hills are smaller than mountains and are generally under 600 m in height. They can come in many different shapes but are generally quite rolling.Trinidads highest point is Mount Tana a (308m),Trinity hill (325m)
• Rivers are found all over Trinidad and Tobago. They vary in length: some can be long such as the Ortoire River (53 km), which is the longest river in Trinidad, while others can be short such as the Coffee River in north Tobago.
• Tourism is the practice of visiting places for pleasure. This might be visiting different countries or areas, or visiting specific sites of interest.
• Jobs in a Hotel are: Front desk staff, kitchen staff, housekeeping staff, and security staff.
• The Caribbean is attractive for their warm weather and beaches