America and Arizona Government for Elementary Teachers

Presentation 15: Civil Rights and Liberties

Presentation Objectives

AEPA Objectives0017 Understand the rights and responsibilities of U.S.

citizenship.

0018 Understand basic features of democratic government in the United States.

AZ Social Studies Standard, Strand 3Concept 3: Functions of Government

Concept 4: Rights, Responsibilities, and Roles of Citizenship

Freedom in America

Freedom To __________. Civil Liberties

Freedom From ________. Civil Rights

Is America free?

Pluralist Theory – Federalist #10 Groups/factions oppose

one another These checks prevent

Tyranny

Is America free?

The problem: US history shows that this ideal situation has never existed. Civil Rights Struggle Some groups are

privileged, its not a fair contest

Is America free?

Democracy depends on stable, engaged citizenry

Rich / Elite

Middle Class

Poor

Rich / Elite

Middle Class

Poor

Unstable Stable

Is America free?

Structured Inequality? Race Money Education

Gross inequality endangers democracy Underclass has no stake in the system Permanence creates resentment, which often leads to

disorder and rebellion All groups have a stake in ensuring a fair contest

Constitutional Basis

Habeus Corpus

Ex Post Facto laws

Bill of Attainder laws

Constitutional Basis

Bill of Rights 1st amendment

protections Value of individual

expression is Intrinsic good

Maximize public discourse is Instrumental good

Marketplace of ideas –John Stuart Mill

Other amendments

Tiered Rights

Human Rights for all

Constitutional protections for legal residents

Civil Rights for Citizens

Rights of Citizenship

Paths to Citizenship Jus Solis Jus Sanguinis Naturalization

Contested Boundaries

Individual v. Communal rights

Contested Boundaries

Compelling State Interest

Contested Boundaries

Public v. Private

Contested Boundaries

Rights v. Responsibilities

Conclusion

This Presentation

This presentation is courtesy of Brian Dille, Professor of Political Science at Mesa Community College.