Local governments generate revenue to pay for these from property and sales taxes and grants from state and national governments. When people agree to establish and abide by a government, they consent to be governed. The philosophy of natural rights articulated in the Declaration of Independence, set the standards for the U.S. government, that the only legitimate government is one based on the consent of the governed. To have citizenship is to be an official member of a politically defined region. A citizen owes allegiance to his or her country and expects to be protected by the government and from unfair use of governmental power.
Students can be citizens of their classroom entitled to protection by their student government.
Citizens can be natural born or naturalized. In most cases, when naturalized, they vow their allegiance to their adopted country and cease being legal citizens of their homeland. Citizens in a democratic society governed by a constitution such as the United States should understand and obey the law, be knowledgeable about public issues, be concerned about the performance of political leaders, pay taxes, vote, lead fellow citizens and participate in public service, including the military, as appropriate. A democracy is a form of government in which political control is exercised by all the people, either directly or through their elected representatives. A democratic society functions within a democracy.