1 CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS 3 Definitions Civil liberties refer to the fundamental freedoms and rights that are secured by the constitution, or the Bill of Rights. They also refer to safeguards against the authority actions. For instance, the First Amendment assures citizens the freedom to exercise their preferred religion (Patterson, 2014). Therefore, the government cannot hamper the rights of an individual to worship. In this respect, the individual has liberty from government’s activities. Civil rights refer to the constructive activities that the government must conduct to establish equality for all the citizens in the country. In most cases, the term is normally linked with the shielding of minority persons including women, Hispanics, and African Americans (Patterson, 2014). The civil rights are used to counterbalances the rule of the majority in a democracy, which normally disregards the minorities. Therefore, it ensures that all persons are treated equally regardless of their marital status, gender, or races in areas such as housing, education, and employment (Patterson, 2014). 2 Similarities and Differences Civil liberties and civil rights are similar because they are granted to the citizens according to the constitution. In this regard, the civil rights and civil liberties ensure that all people are equal before the law, and are defended from government’s activities, which are contrary to the law (Patterson, 2014). The major difference between the civil rights and civil liberties is the purpose they are intended to serve. Precisely, civil liberties are designed to protect the ordinary citizen from abuse of power by the government. They safeguard the rights of the people such as the right to vote or marriage rights. On the contrary, civil rights are envisioned to protect persons from harassment and discrimination regarding issues such as ethnicity, gender, and race. Therefore, they are free from any form of unfair treatment or discrimination (Patterson, 2014). For instance, the US Constitution under the Fourteenth Amendment assures all Americans rights and equality Civil rights have a huge influence in my life because they ensure that all persons in the country are treated equally regardless of
Civil liberties originate from the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Some civil liberties include freedom of speech and freedom of religion, which come from the First Amendment of the Constitution. The courts and legislatures can define
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 Constitution and its amendments define civil rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to petition, the freedom to assemble, and the right to vote regardless of race, color, and sex. The Constitution also provides citizens
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.
Civil Liberties In America, today there is a lot of controversy over human’s rights. This is not true of just today, however, this fight for people 's rights has been going on for ages. There are two basic types of rights. 2 There are Civil Rights and there are Civil Liberties. Civil Liberties are a broader topic, such as the right to vote or the right to bear arms, they can be directly from the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. While Civil Rights are more specific, for example, employers cannot be ageist or sexist and woman should have the same chance for a promotion than any man. Civil Rights protect everyone from any type of discrimination. While Civil
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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?
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
Civil right is considered as the fundamental and basic rights of citizens to political and social freedom with the assurance of equality. Civil rights, gives every citizen equal opportunities and equal protection under the law, notwithstanding of race, religion, or other personal characteristics like disabilities. Examples of civil rights include right to equality in public places, right to vote, right to speech, right to employment, right to equal education, etc. civil rights are integral part of democracy, which are protected by government and is basically included in thirteenth and fourteenth amendments of the U.S. constitution. Civil liberties is a basic freedom. Civil liberties can also be defined as the freedom of citizens to follow their ordinary rights which are guaranteed by Bill of rights in context of America.
Civil rights have been defined as the nonpolitical rights of citizens, in particular, the personal freedom of US citizens guaranteed by the laws passed by Congress, as well as amendments to US Constitution No. 13, and14. (Miriam Webster Dictionary).
Civil liberties in general can be understood as those rights which are mentioned in the bills of