Civil Liberties: What Are They & Why Are They Important

Our civil liberties are among the most important fundamental rights we have as citizens of the United States. These liberties provide a fundamental level of freedom from government intrusion into our personal lives and our private choices, decisions and activities. It is essential that we understand and intensely guard our civil liberties as these are the foundation for the pursuit of happiness for citizens of the United States and other developed countries.

What Are Civil Liberties?

Civil liberties are those fundamental rights granted to citizens that exist to protect our basic freedoms and that limit the government’s power over individuals. Typically included in civil liberties are the rights to free speech, freedom of assembly, religious freedom, and the right to privacy among many others.

Civil liberties were born out of the common law of England during the 17th century, in addition to being written into the Magna Carta of 1215. Later, civil liberties were further written into the United States Constitution and enumerated into the Bill of Rights of 1791. These guarantees of an individual’s personal rights provide protection from uncontrolled government action in a variety of areas and ensure that the citizens of our nation have a basic level of protection from their own government.

Why Are Civil Liberties Important?

Civil liberties provide a moderating balance between the power of the government and the rights of the individual. They also provide a bridge of understanding between the government and the governed. These freedoms remain part of a government’s legitimacy. Without civil liberties, our society lacks a fundamental level of trust between the government and its citizens. Citizens must be guaranteed that the government is not able to intrude upon their individual rights without the consent of the people or due process of law.

At the same time, civil liberties present an added layer of protection from oppression. Fundamentally, they allow citizens to fully express their views in a variety of aspects – even when these views are contrary to those of the government. Without civil liberties, citizens would not have any guarantees to protect their right to freedom of thought and expression. Civil liberties also allow individuals to pursue happiness without interference from the government. Therefore, without these rights, it is impossible to determine whether an individual lives in a society or a dictatorship.

Finally, civil liberties provide a mechanism for peaceful resolution of tension between governments and citizens. They provide a tool for citizens to redress wrongs and to seek justice for wrongs perpetuated by the government. Further, civil liberties aid in preventing governments from undermining its citizens when questioned or challenged. This can occur in a variety of ways, such as by curtailing peaceful protests by citizens or by oppressing those who criticize the government.

In conclusion, civil liberties are essential for citizens of any nation that values individual freedom. These basic rights help to ensure that citizens can freely express themselves, pursue their life goals, and have a trusting relationship with their government. Civil liberties help to protect citizens from government opposition, while still allowing citizens and governments to resolve issues peacefully. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in protecting our civil liberties in order to ensure the safety and prosperity of our society now and in the future.