The Freedom of Civil Liberties One might ask the importance of civil liberties after so many years. The answer is that we are all touched by these liberties every day. Even though civil liberties were embedded into the Bill of Rights in the late 1800’s, we today, as Americans, still have the right to be protected against any abusive power used by the government (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p. 106). Although Americans are protected fully today, it took over a century for all civil liberties to be implemented. With several civil liberties in place, which is most important? Which liberty protects us as Americans, most significantly? I believe all of our civil liberties are equally as beneficial and lead to the safety of every citizen in the United …show more content…
To understand civil liberties, one must first understand why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. Civil liberties include balancing interests. There has to be a balance between a citizen’s freedom, the government interests, and public safety (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p. 107). Along with balancing interests came drawing lines and defining the limits of acceptable conduct by the government or an individual citizen in the context of a specific civil liberty (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p. 108). Although the courts outline the limitations of our civil liberties, often times, other branches of government and the public get involved. There were early concerns of the public as to how our civil liberties would be defined (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p.109). As stated in American Politics Today, there were only limited protections outlined in the original Constitution, such as protection against illegal incarceration (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p. 109). States were adamant about individuals requiring protection from the federal government. The fight for the Bill of Rights was not necessarily an easy one. Because the Bill of Rights only applied to the national government, another amendment was submitted that also required states to also uphold civil liberties (Bianco & Canon, 2015, p. 109). This was denied by congress as the Bill of Rights was to make the national government stronger. Unfortunately, the Bill of Rights had a minor
The notion of civil liberties started back in 1787 during elaboration of what was going to be one of the most powerful document ever written in human history. During the convention, the Anti-Federalist feared a too powerful government that would interfere in people’s rights and liberties. The founding fathers understood that the illustration of the Bill of rights can only but put forth personal freedoms. However, the Bill of Rights was
From the beginning, the United States Constitution has guaranteed the American people civil liberties. These liberties have given citizens rights to speak, believe, and act freely. The Constitution grants citizens the courage to express their mind about something they believe is immoral or unjust. The question is, how far are citizens willing to extend the meanings of these liberties? Some people believe that American citizens take advantage of their civil liberties, harming those around them. On the contrary, many other people feel that civil liberties are necessary tools to fight for their Constitutional rights.
An American’s civil liberties are among some of the most important rights awarded to a citizen. After 9/11 some of those liberties were taken away by the expansion of executive power, the National Security
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 our natural rights, such as freedom, equality and pursuit of happiness, which the government cannot modify by making new laws or by judicial interpretation. Civil liberties are important because it helps restrain the power of the government to dictate how we behave. This ensures that our daily life is not interrupted by authoritative figures that may just try to intentionally cause harm. Civil liberties contribute to the protection of our personal choices, such as the right to abortions. The bill of rights is important to civil liberties because it does not allow the government to govern our personal lives. Unfortunately, with this war against terrorism, we have given those authoritative figures the ability to mandate
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
When the Bill of Rights was established, it was to ensure civil freedoms to all. Little by little these days, all of these rights are now gaining more and more stipulations that are restricting our rights as Americans. Due to the unrest of the world from all of the terrorism, it appears that our right to freedom of speech (Amendment I) and the right of the people to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures is diminishing rapidly.
Civil liberties are rights for freedom of speech and religion, that are so significant that are outside government’s authority to regulate. Defined as protected laws allowing everyone to have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, abortion rights, and other right’s stated in the first 10 amendments, which are better known as the Bill of Rights.
Today in United States we take many of our civil liberties for granted that are given to us by the American Constitution and Bill of Rights but it was not always this way. Since the founding of our nation personal liberties have been held in the highest regard being written into the founding documents of our country and has been updated to ensure it is accurately protects the ideas and beliefs of its citizens. The liberties granted to the American people were the first of its kind in a world predominantly ruled by tyranny and barbarism, the United States was a democratic government and allowed its citizens unalienable rights and made everyone in this great nation free and equal to purse their own goals in life.
government can access records about you and investigate on you and you wouldn't even know