Conclusion – Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
While the terms ‘civil liberties’ and ‘civil liberties’ are often used interchangeably, they are fundamentally different from each other. Civil liberties are a negative obligation on the government, as the state cannot breach these constitutionally guaranteed liberties. The state has to refrain from interfering with the civil liberties of the citizens. Civil rights, on the other hand, cast a positive obligation on the state. The government has to take proactive steps to ensure that the civil rights of the citizens are not infringed. These active steps involve framing anti-discrimination laws and setting up proper investigation agencies.
Difference Between Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Difference Between Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: Civil liberties refer to fundamental freedoms, while civil rights involve the essential entitlement to be protected from discrimination based on characteristics like race, disability, color, gender, national origin, and more.
Civil rights and civil liberties are two important facets of a vibrant democracy. The United States legal jurisprudence makes a clear distinction between the two terms. Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination by the government. These rights are embedded in statutes and protect the citizens from discrimination. Civil liberties, on the other hand, prohibit the government from interfering in the citizens’ personal lives. These liberties are guaranteed by the Constitution itself.
In this article, we will look into the key differences between civil rights and civil liberties in detail along with the definitions, importance, and limitations of both.
Table of Content
- Difference between Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- What are Civil Rights?
- What are Civil Liberties?
- Limitations of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties