1. Rights vs. Responsibilities
CAN I?
Rights vs. Responsibilities

2. Things that you are allowed to do because of nature or because of law
RIGHTS
Definition:
Things that you are allowed to do because of nature or because of law

3. “Because of Nature”
English Philosopher John Locke said that every human pursues three things:
life (survival),
liberty (freedom),
and
property (owning things to help us survive).
Locke called these NATURAL RIGHTS.

4. “Because of Law” Just as all people have natural rights, there are also rights that are created by the laws. For example, Congress can pass a law that gives people new rights!

5. Where do our rights come from?
United States Constitution
In the United States, we are guaranteed a list of rights in our Constitution.

6. Types of Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups with some examples.
Personal Rights allow people to live how they want as long as it doesn’t get in the way of other people’s rights.
Political Rights
allow people to participate in the political process. We need participation to have democracy.

7. Types of Rights Personal Rights Political Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups with some examples.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law

8. People can believe what they want!
Personal or Political?
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Hint: Would this impact people participating in the political process OR would it have a bigger impact on people living their lives the way they want?

9. The freedom to believe what you want is a PERSONAL RIGHT!
Types of Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law
The freedom to believe what you want is a PERSONAL RIGHT!

10. People can ask the government for change without fear!
Personal or Political?
Right to Petition
People can ask the government for change without fear!
Hint: Would this impact people participating in the political process OR would it have a bigger impact on people living their lives the way they want?

11. The freedom to ask for change is a POLITICAL RIGHT!
Types of Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law
Freedom to Petition
People can ask the government for change without fear!
The freedom to ask for change is a POLITICAL RIGHT!

12. People can elect representatives and vote on issues!
Personal or Political?
Right to Vote
People can elect representatives and vote on issues!
Hint: Would this impact people participating in the political process OR would it have a bigger impact on people living their lives the way they want?

13. The freedom to elect representatives is a POLITICAL RIGHT!
Types of Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law
Freedom to Petition
People can ask the government for change without fear!
Right to Vote
People can elect representatives and vote on issues!
The freedom to elect representatives is a POLITICAL RIGHT!

14. People can go where and when they want to!
Personal or Political?
Freedom of Movement
People can go where and when they want to!
Hint: Would this impact people participating in the political process OR would it have a bigger impact on people living their lives the way they want?

15. The freedom to move is a PERSONAL RIGHT!
Types of Rights
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Freedom of Movement
People can go where and when they want!
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law
Freedom to Petition
People can ask the government for change without fear!
Right to Vote
People can elect representatives and vote on issues!
The freedom to move is a PERSONAL RIGHT!

16. Types of Rights Personal Rights Political Rights Freedom of Speech
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are the two main groups.
Personal Rights
Freedom of Speech
People can say what they think!
Freedom from Discrimination
People must be treated equally!
Right to own Property
Freedom of Religion
People can believe what they want!
Freedom of Movement
People can go where and when they want!
Political Rights
Right to Assemble
People can meet together!
Freedom of the Press
People can print the facts they want!
Right to Equal Protection Under Law
Fair trial
Freedom to Petition
People can ask the government for change without fear!
Right to Vote
People can elect representatives and vote on issues!

18. What Do All These Rights Mean For Me?
With rights, or freedoms, come…
RESPONSIBILITY!!!

19. The Office of Citizen
Our government is “of the people, by the people, and for the people”
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant by this phrase?
We, citizens, hold the power. We decide what our government will do and will not do
We lend this power to elected representatives
People who are chosen to speak and act for their fellow citizens in government

20. Oh! Stuff we’re supposed to do!
RESPONSIBILITIES
Oh! Stuff we’re supposed to do!
Definition:
The expectation that you will take care of certain things or perform duties

21. Responsibility- Things you should do!
Contribute to the Common good
Protect others rights and freedoms
Register to Vote
Hold office
Participate in politics
Election campaigns
Influencing government
Serving the Community

22. Duties- Things you have to do!
Jury Duty
Pay Taxes
Obey Laws
Register for Selective Service
Get an Education- Go to school
Stuff we MUST do!

23. To Review Rights: Things you CAN do
Responsibilities: Things you SHOULD do
Duties: Things you MUST do