Exploring the Fourth Tenet: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in the American Government

Candace Nue University of Baltimore 18/09/2022 Fourth Foundation Tenet of the American Government: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Introduction American Constitution offers American protection over many rights and privileges. Civil rights and civil liberties are among the major privileges entitled to Americans as stipulated by the Constitution. However, it is imperative to understand that though civil liberties and civil rights jointly form the fourth tenet of the American national government, they differ significantly. One can relate the success of civil rights movements to the recognition and respect for civil rights in America. To this effect, one can argue that civil rights as enforceable privileges or rights that interfere with calls for action. They are legal provisions that stem from the notion of equality. On the other hand, civil liberties are personal freedoms protected by the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights offers protection of civil liberties from unnecessary government intrusion to allow Americans to live their lives to the fullest without fear of government harassment. One can conclude that civil rights are not in the Bill of Rights as they deal with legal protection, while civil liberties are the personal freedoms included in the Bill of Rights. Civil liberties are rights or privileges guaranteed to Americans by the Constitution and court-made