What is the difference between civil rights and civil liberties? It’s a great question, and we’re glad you asked. In short, civil rights are the legal rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution, while civil liberties are the freedoms guaranteed to all citizens by the Bill of Rights. They both play an essential role in a free and democratic society, but they have some key differences.
Civil rights protect citizens from discrimination and ensure that they are treated equally under the law. They’re enforceable by the courts, which means that you can take action if someone infringes on your civil rights. Civil liberties also protect citizens from government intrusion and allow them to freely exercise their rights. However, unlike civil rights, civil liberties are not enforceable by the courts—they can only be infringed by the government.
Civil rights can be infringed by both the government and private individuals, while civil liberties can only be infringed by the government. Also, civil rights are essential to ensuring a fair and just society, while civil liberties are essential to ensuring a free and open society.
