Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens. You become a citizen by being born in the United States or by going through a process called naturalization. Citizens have a duty to follow the rules established by the government. The government of the United States is a representative democracy. That means that the citizens choose representatives to make the laws and to govern on their behalf. Today, America's citizens are descendants of immigrants from all over the world. Part of the nation's strength comes from the diversity of its citizens.