Critique Essay The balance between the duty of the government, both on a state and federal scale, and the citizens’ view of freedoms has been a continuous struggle throughout the readings. Although many members of America’s youth believe that their participation in politics is aimless, public opinion and voting are very important aspects of shaping the government. Without certain civil rights being granted by the government, these important rights of expression and suffrage would not exist. There is a difference between civil liberties and civil rights in relation to the government. Civil liberties refer to an individual’s unalienable freedoms that cannot be taken away by political intervention. On the other hand, civil rights are provided by the government in order to promote equality. This ideology was introduced to the founders of the nation by John Locke, who believed in natural rights. Locke stated that these natural rights are to be protected and secured by the government. The question that should be raised now is whether the government truly does protect our civil rights and have the citizens’ best interest in mind. As time progresses, the addition of civil rights to more citizens of the United States is achieved through the inclusion of amendments to the Constitution. Although people may disagree on the effectiveness of the Constitution on its relevance for the future, there is an issue with the allowance for more amendments. The progress of society is inevitable
The difference between civil liberties and civil rights are, civil liberties are freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The liberties are “freedom of speech, religious expression, and press, as well as due process of the Fourteenth Amendment.” (Bianco, Canon 2011, p 153) Civil liberties limit what the government can do to you. An example is “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech.” (Bianco, Canon 2011, p 153) Civil liberties are about people’s freedoms. Civil rights protect against discrimination from both by the government and individuals. civil rights are about equal rights. “In contrast, civil rights protect all persons from
The passage of the 1964 civil rights Act and the right to vote Act of 1965 have an enormous significance to the American society. For instance, the 1964 civil rights Act passage did lead to the realization of the Federal government power to the struggle that leads to the ultimate fulfillment of a much more just and inclusive society in America (Ogbar, J. O. 2005), giving strength to a century old reconstruction effort. Also, its passage intensified the mobilization at the grassroots level as it had only fulfilled some part of the objectives of the civil rights activist and by its adoption, it increased the resolve to demand more so as to guarantee the civil rights of the African Americans. It is also important to state that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was very significant in instigating the precedence that manifested itself in the subsequent waves of protest that followed before the realization of the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Which was also a paramount passage that leads to the redress of the past legacy that discriminated the access to the ballot by African Americans (Mayer, Robert 2004)? As a result of the passage of this two acts the marginalized groups in the society became aware of their rights and resolved to assert their rights, in essence. Since the enactment of this Acts many more Americans previously disenfranchised have utilized this Acts to challenge many forms of discrimination and harassments that are related to race, gender, religion and much more. In essence, it is important to highlight the fact that with the
Civil liberties are defined as rights given to individuals that cannot be taken away because they are protected within the constitution. Some of these rights include the freedom of speech and religion. Civil liberties are rights that are guaranteed to American citizens and no one in the government is able to take these away. Civil liberties are essential to Americans because they protect against unfair treatment from the government and provide Americans with the security their freedoms will remain intact. Whereas, civil rights is defined as rights that should be given towards political and social freedom. This helps protect people of different races, genders, or sexual orientation against harm or unlawful treatment. Civil rights are important because they give people, who are mocked or not given fair circumstances, more rights that allow them to be equal citizens.
Civil rights and civil liberties have great similarities. Both civil rights and civil liberties include policies that protect the equality and freedom of people from government officials. However, the two terms have great differences. Two main differences between civil rights and liberties exist. One difference includes the origin of the policies. They also protect from different things. Although they have differences, civil rights and liberties have great importance to the citizens of the United States.
According to Patterson, “The Constitution’s failure to enumerate individual freedoms led to demands for the Bill of Rights. These first 10 amendments to the Constitution list a set of rights that the federal government is obliged to protect” (Patterson, 94). In the Bill of Rights, civil liberties specify the individual’s rights like freedom of speech, the right to a fair court trial, and other rights, which is protected by the government. 3 Patterson says, “Civil rights are a question of whether individual members of differing groups, such as racial, gender, and ethnic groups, are treated
1 Civil Rights Vs. Civil Liberties As a citizen of the United States, one is granted many protections under law. 2 These protections consist of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Varying based on the person, these rights are very valuable and ensure that an individual free of harm for certain situations. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties have evolved over the years as our country continues to further its development. They allow for the diminishing of injustice and a sense of security when it comes to the law system. The importance of Civil Rights and Liberties may not be very well known to all, but continue to play a role in every citizen’s
Civil liberties are basic freedoms granted to individuals in the Bill of Rights. Individual freedom can survive only under a system of law by which both the supreme and the governed are bound. Such a system of fundamental laws, Civil rights are constitutional guarantees, which mean they are granted to individuals with the body of the Constitution in the form of amendments. Many civil rights were granted after the Constitution was written, but civil liberties were included in the Constitution since their adoption in the Bill of Rights in 1791.
Overall, the main difference is that Civil Liberties deals with unalienable rights and Civil Rights defends people 's equality.
1. 2 Define Civil Liberties; then define Civil Rights. How are they similar? How do they differ? Which civil sequence has more influence on your life as you know it to be now? Why do you believe this to be so?
For centuries, the success of a democratic society has been measured by its commitment to equality, a resounding principle central to our nation’s founding. The Enlightenment-inspired language of the Declaration of Independence, namely the age-old axiom that “all men are created equal,” pervades our perception of the American creed. However, nearly a century passed before the Lockean principles espoused in the Declaration of Independence began to bear the force of law. Entitling American citizens to due process and equal protection of the law, the Fourteenth Amendment, perhaps the most transformative Amendment of all, has inspired the steady progression of American society. Nonetheless, while the Amendment serves as the chief legal force behind the democratic goal of equality, questions regarding its achievement of that goal
Civil Rights In the U.S. most use the terms Civil Liberties and Civil Rights interchangeably; although they both protect the freedom of citizens they do this in different ways. 2 Civil Liberties are limitations placed on the government. These are things the government is restricted to do, by the constitution. Things that could interfere with personal freedom. 3 For example, the 1st amendment says that no law can be made establishing a set religion. (Course, 2015) Therefore no laws can be made pertaining to a set religion. Civil liberties can be seen as broader laws, placed against the government. 2 Whereas Civil Rights are almost like curbs
Civil liberties and civil rights is something that is very important to everyone living in the United States. However, when it comes to both civil liberties and civil liberties, it is in fact aimed directly at the government. It is aimed directly at the government due to the fact that there must exist a balance between the freedom of an individual and how much power the government is able and willing to limit an individual. With the diversity that the United States holds and diversity that continues to grow, maintaining a balance has always been a very crucial element. In order to understand this, we must first know the difference between both, civil liberties and civil rights.
Civil rights are not the same thing as civil liberties … but they should be. Throughout American history the line between civil rights and liberties has been drawn in the sand. American citizens’ civil liberty issues have improved, but not been resolved because people won’t turn back to help the less fortunate, when civil liberties were improved upon the means in getting them were different for each person, and America has a history of preying upon minorities.
Webster defines civil liberty as a freedom from arbitrary governmental interference specifically by denial of governmental power, and in the United States especially as guaranteed by the bill of rights. Civil liberties are the basic rights, and freedoms that are due to every American citizen. More than often, civil liberties and civil rights are often used synonymously, but those terms are very distinct. A civil rights violation happens during designated situations where a person is discriminated against based on physical characteristics. However, civil liberties deal with basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed within the Bill of Rights and U.S constitution, inferred over the years by courts, and legislatures. Although, there are many liberties outlined within the United States constitution freedom of speech will be expounded upon.
One easy way to differentiate civil rights and civil liberties is to recognize civil liberties as the protection of our rights from any type of government interference. Similarly, Civil rights are rights through which there is no discrimination in people on any basis like race, sex, religion. The best example to differentiate civil rights and civil liberties would be same sex marriage. Right to get married comes under civil liberty whereas marring with same sex or different sex is a civil right of an individual.