4.1 Rights and Responsibilities Study Guide
Learning Target 8. Relate one of the arguments over the need for a bill of rights to the wording of one of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
A key argument during the course of the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution concerned the need for a bill of rights. Federalists pointed to protections included in the original document but Anti-Federalists argued that those protections were inadequate. To secure sufficient votes in the state ratifying conventions, Federalists pledged to offer a bill of rights once the new government was established. Massachusetts and Virginia, in accord with Anti-Federalist sentiments, went so far as to propose amendments to the Constitution, including amendments to protect the rights of citizens.
The amendments which were ratified in 1791 and became known as the Bill of Rights addressed protections for individual rights (Amendments 1 – 9). These amendments reflect the principle of limited government. The 10th Amendment also addressed the principle of limited government as well as federalism.
The amendments which were ratified in 1791 and became known as the Bill of Rights addressed protections for individual rights (Amendments 1 – 9). These amendments reflect the principle of limited government. The 10th Amendment also addressed the principle of limited government as well as federalism.
Learning Target 16. Explain how the fulfillment of civic responsibilities is related to the exercise of rights in the United States.
People in the United States have claims to protection from government intrusion in certain aspects of their lives. These claims are called rights. During the American Revolution, various state bills of rights were drafted. The original U.S. Constitution outlined many rights held by the people (see Art. I, sec. 9 and 10, Art. III, sec. 2, Art. IV, sec. 2). The federal Bill of Rights not only enumerates many rights, but other unstated rights are alluded to under the Ninth Amendment.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in its interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s due process clause, has instituted the doctrine of incorporation meaning that most of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights also apply to state and local governments.
Many of the rights held by American citizens protect the ability to participate in the political process (e.g., speech, press, assembly, petition, suffrage, hold public office).
There are general responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., respecting the rule of law, paying taxes and fees, accepting responsibility for one’s actions). There also are responsibilities associated with the exercise of particular rights. Examples include:
Citizenship also entails service to the nation which guarantees the rights of the people. This may include military service, community service and serving in public office.
Individual rights are relative, not absolute. The exercise of rights must be balanced by the rights of others and by the common good.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in its interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s due process clause, has instituted the doctrine of incorporation meaning that most of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights also apply to state and local governments.
Many of the rights held by American citizens protect the ability to participate in the political process (e.g., speech, press, assembly, petition, suffrage, hold public office).
There are general responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., respecting the rule of law, paying taxes and fees, accepting responsibility for one’s actions). There also are responsibilities associated with the exercise of particular rights. Examples include:
- Entitlement to privileges and immunities – respecting the rights of others;
- Right of free speech – engaging in civil discourse;
- Right to bear arms – receiving firearms training;
- Right to jury trial – serving on juries; and Right to vote – becoming informed on public issues
Citizenship also entails service to the nation which guarantees the rights of the people. This may include military service, community service and serving in public office.
Individual rights are relative, not absolute. The exercise of rights must be balanced by the rights of others and by the common good.
