Rights vs.

Responsibilities
 RIGHTS
Definition:

Things that you are

allowed to do
because of nature
or because of law
 “Because of Nature”
Every human pursues three things:
life (survival),
liberty (freedom),
and
property (owning things to help us survive).
These rights are called NATURAL RIGHTS.
 “Because of Law”
Just as all people have natural
rights, there are also rights that
are created by the laws.
These rights are called legal
rights
 TYPES OF RIGHTS
People put rights into all kinds of categories, but here are
the two main groups with some examples.

Personal Rights Political Rights

allow people to live allow people to

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

Personal Rights Political Rights

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

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

The freedom to elect

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

The freedom to
move is a
PERSONAL RIGHT!
WHAT DO ALL THESE RIGHTS
MEAN FOR ME?
With rights, or freedoms, come…

RESPONSIBILITY!!!
 RESPONSIBILITIES
Definition:

The expectation that

you will take care
of certain things or
perform duties
 TYPES OF RESPONSIBILITY
Just like rights, there are different kinds of responsibilities.

Personal Duties
Things you have to do!
Social Responsibilities
Things you should do!

o Pay Taxes o Tolerate Others

o Obey Laws o Protect Public Safety
o Register for Selective Service o Register to Vote
o Get an Education
 I’m a student…
Do I have
responsibilities??
Yes! As a student, your list of
responsibilities might look a little
different.

Your list may not include voting,

but it probably includes
respecting authority.