Rights and Responsibilities in the USA

Rights and Responsibilities in the USA This could come up in the exam, e.g.: Analyse the political rights and responsibilities of citizens in the world power you have studied. (12 marks) Best approach is to look at different rights and examine the extent to which they exist and also the responsibilities that go along with them.

Rights and Responsibilities The rights of people in America are an important aspect of the American Dream As mentioned before, the rights of all Americans are enshrined in the constitution, especially in Amendments 1-10 which are called the Bill of Rights

The US Constitution and the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights: The Constitution's First 10 Amendments As you watch, summarise the US Constitution’s first 10 amendments in your jotter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEfLm5dLMQ This link takes you to the Education Portal website. This clip explains the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights: The Constitution's First 10 Amendments 1. Freedom of speech, religion, the press and assembly 2. The right to bear arms 3. Quartering: “quarter” a troop in your home 4. Search and Seizure: police need a warrant to search and seize your property 5. Rights of the accused; you do not have to take the stand and incriminate yourself (Plead the 5th) 6. Rights of trial – jury of peers; speedy trial etc 7. Right to “common law” – right to a lawyer 8. Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment 9. “Non-Rights Amendments” protecting rights that aren’t specifically mentioned already 10. “Non-Rights Amendments” any un-delegated powers are reserved to the states and to the people.

Rights and Responsibilities The right to vote e.g. for the President Use your right to vote on election day The right to stand for election e.g. as a Senator If elected, you must listen to the opinions of people you represent Freedom of religion Allow others to practice their religion Freedom of speech Allow others to have their own ideas and points of view The right to protest e.g. about gun control Protest peacefully The right to a fair trial Help others get a fair trial

Political Rights and Responsibilities Americans also have political rights and responsibilities. The next slide has a list of those political rights and the responsibilities that go with them.

Political Rights and Responsibilities American Example Responsibility Vote in elections Federal, State and County/Local level. e.g. can vote in Presidential elections at Federal level government To use the vote and do so in a considered way Join a political party Republicans and Democrats To respect the views of others from different parties Stand as a candidate for election President, Member of the House of Representatives, Senator, Mayor If elected, you must listen to the views of people that you represent

Political Rights and Responsibilities American Example Responsibility Protest For gun ownership e.g. National Rifle Association (NRA) Protest peacefully and obey the law Join an interest group Greenpeace (worldwide group) To obey the law when protesting Free speech Criticise the work of Federal, State and County/Local level government e.g. on Obama’s health care reforms Allow others to express their opinions

Analyse Question Analyse the political rights and responsibilities of citizens in the world power you have studied. (12 marks) Political rights include those enshrined in the Bill of Rights. You can also use notes from “How Democratic is the USA” so that you can give limitations to the rights of Americans. Paragraph example… Vote in elections – e.g. Presidential etc.

Right to Vote Citizens can vote in various elections – federal, state and local Vote for President every 4 years, e.g. 2008 – Barack Obama (Democrat) vs. John McCain (Republican) 2012 – Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney Over 1 million elected posts in the USA Responsibility – Use your vote in a considered way Analysis – talk about whether the right to vote gives citizens a real voice, can they have an impact on elections, on decisions about the country? Are there limitations? Is there enough choice at US elections? (i.e. Federal elections are usually between only two parties – Democrat and Republican)

Right to Protest First Amendment of Constitution, Bill of Rights Right to peaceful assembly and petition Examples of protests – Occupy Wall Street interest group protests against banks following recession (2008-present); Protests against Trump’s so called Muslim bans at airports across America (Jan 2017) Many protests after Obama-led federal government bailed out banks with taxpayer money NRA – protest about Americans right to own a gun – link to second amendment. Brady campaign protest for more gun control Responsibility – Protest peacefully (expand) Analysis – talk about whether the right to protest gives citizens a real voice, can they have an impact on decisions about the country? Are there limitations? Do protests actually work? Do they achieve anything?

Stand for Election and Join a Party Could join various parties – Republican, Democrat, Greens, Libertarians, National Socialist Movement etc. Rules to stand for president? – must have been born in USA, over 35, have lived in USA for past 14 years Rules to be Senator – lived in US for last 9 years, at least 30 years old, resident of the state you are running for Joining parties – take part in primary elections, party conventions, e.g. join Democrats and take part in the Democratic National Convention. Democrats have about 43 million registered members. Expensive to run – Obama spent over $1 billion to become president in 2008 and 2012 Analysis – Does this mean that ordinary Americans can have an impact in decision making? Is it fair that not all Americans can stand? Can politicians really make a difference or is there too much corruption? Enough choice of parties?

Right to Free Speech An important right – first Amendment etc. Americans can protest against government – e.g. Obama Administration Opponents of Obamacare – should healthcare be subsidised for poorer Americans? Modern developments – Facebook, Twitter, social media – should Americans be allowed to say what they want online? Edward Snowden – former CIA analysts who was a “whistle blower” – revealed state secrets and had to flee the USA or face life in prison. Did he have freedom of speech? Analysis – Is it good that Americans can say what they want? Discuss responsibilities that go with this…e.g. don’t incite violence. Violence following Michael Brown shooting in 2014…should people be allowed to say what they want if this is the result

Participation

Ways Citizens can Participate Voting - On election day people can participate by turning out to vote for the Presidential candidate of their choice. e.g. In federal elections, you vote for the President every 4 years and Congress every 2 years.

Ways Citizens can Participate Stand as candidates - For example they could stand for Congress or even President. Over 1 million positions available from President down to dog catcher!

Ways Citizens can Participate Join a political party – Democrats or Republicans Being a party member lets them take part in the primary elections where you can choose your preferred candidate for President. For example, Democrats tend to be supported by the poor, unemployed and ethnic minorities. Republicans are more closely linked to the rich, big business and the middle class.

Ways Citizens can Participate Campaigning - Party members can get involved in election campaigns by handing out leaflets, attending party rallies and fundraising. For example, a citizen could go door to door handing out leaflets in support of the Republican Party.

Ways Citizens can Participate Join a Pressure group or Interest Group – these are groups which share similar views about something For example, the National Rifle Association (NRA) defends the right of American citizens to own and carry guns for self defence and sporting purposes. They are a powerful group with many supporters within government

Political Participation in the USA – Background Knowledge Before you can vote in the USA you must be registered to vote. In the 2012 Presidential election 65% of the total population was registered to vote (less than that actually voted on the day). Black and Hispanic voters are less likely to register, although there has been an increase in recent years. Turnout is therefore quite low.

Voter turnout Voter turnout is affected by whether or not it is a Presidential election year. The turnout is always higher in Presidential election years than it is for mid term elections. The TV coverage of the election of a President obviously increases voter awareness and interest. There is significantly less interest in only electing a Congressman/ woman or State officials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu5syIiMQUI

Why is voter registration so low? The registration procedure can be complicated. Some groups feel that voting is a waste of time. In some rural areas it might be difficult to get to the polling station. Many people are happy with the way the government is run. Many are illegal immigrants and not qualify to vote. Please go into detail/ explain each of these points to the pupils.

Low turnout in US elections – Why? Numerous elections are held for many different posts and people can be put off voting because it happens so often. The registration form can be long and complicated and it, itself, can be a barrier to voting especially if certain groups are not well educated enough e.g. Blacks and Hispanics.

Low turnout in US elections – Why? The ballot paper is often long and complicated and some voters might find it confusing, especially if they don’t have a decent level of education. A lot of people believe that voting will not change their lives and so they don’t vote e.g. Many blacks and Hispanics - poor life chances. Live in poor areas e.g. ghettoes with poor schools and housing. Feel that voting makes no difference.

Low turnout in US elections – Why? Many Hispanics are illegal immigrants and so do not qualify, under the constitution, to vote. TV coverage may affect turnout. When the polling stations are closing in the Eastern states like New York people are still going to vote in western states like California because they are at least 5 hours behind. If TV stations announce that one side is going to win easily, those voters in the west may decide not to bother voting as the see the result as already decided.

Low turnout in US elections – Why? 7. Many states have recently introduced restrictive new voting regulations that stop many groups, particularly those from ethnic minorities, the poor and the elderly from voting. Wisconsin Voter ID laws (introduced 2016)

As of May 2017, the states pictured in red above have restrictive voting practices in place. They include: Arizona, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire.

Possible Exam Question Evaluate the ways that citizens of a world power you have studied can participate politically. 12 marks