Prepare Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Read Chap ✓ Solved
Prepareprior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Read Chapters 8 9
Read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 in American Government and review the Week 4 Instructor Guidance. Be sure to research the different party platforms, including the Democratic Party, Republican Party, and one third party (e.g., Libertarian Party, Green Party, Constitution Party).
Reflect on how the U.S. political system is characterized by its laws, rights, and liberties, which are designed to protect individuals and groups within the framework of the Constitution. Consider how the government must also ensure national security to protect citizens from internal and external threats, which can create conflicts between security measures and civil rights and liberties.
In your initial post, explain the obligations of the U.S. government toward its citizens and how these obligations impact individual and group rights. Include real-world examples to support your explanation, and incorporate one personal example related to your experiences. Using this personal example, analyze the perspectives of the two major parties and a third party regarding the issue you present.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The United States government bears fundamental obligations to its citizens, primarily to preserve security while safeguarding civil rights and liberties. Balancing these roles often presents complex challenges, especially when threats necessitate extraordinary measures that may infringe upon individual freedoms (Polsby, 2014). The government is tasked with protecting its citizens from both internal threats, such as domestic terrorism, and external threats like foreign attacks, while simultaneously respecting constitutional rights such as free speech, privacy, and due process (Fisher & Lovell, 2013).
For example, following the September 11 attacks, the United States implemented significant security measures, including the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded law enforcement powers for surveillance and detention. While these measures aimed to enhance security, they raised concerns about violations of privacy rights and civil liberties, illustrating the tension between security and individual rights (Lai & Chen, 2016). Such measures reflect the government's obligation to ensure national security but also highlight the risk of overreach.
From my personal experience, during a period of heightened security alerts, my local area increased surveillance activities to prevent potential threats. This heightened security made me feel safer but also unsettled, as it limited privacy and increased government monitoring in everyday life. This example demonstrates the government's obligation to protect its citizens and how such actions can simultaneously impact individual rights (Gordon & Tait, 2012).
The two major parties, Democrats and Republicans, approach such dilemmas differently. Democrats tend to emphasize the importance of civil liberties, advocating for security measures that respect constitutional rights (Parker et al., 2018). Conversely, Republicans often prioritize national security, supporting broader surveillance and law enforcement powers to ensure safety (Miller & Payne, 2020). A third-party perspective, such as that of the Libertarian Party, generally advocates for minimal government intervention, emphasizing individual liberty and limited security measures unless absolutely necessary (Libertarian Party, 2023).
In conclusion, the obligations of the U.S. government involve balancing security and civil liberties—an ongoing challenge complicated by emerging threats. Different political perspectives reflect varying priorities regarding this balance, underscoring the complexity of policymaking in a democratic society.
References
- Fisher, B. A., & Lovell, L. (2013). American government: Institutions and policies. Cengage Learning.
- Gordon, P., & Tait, T. (2012). Privacy and security: A balancing act in modern America. Journal of Civil Liberties, 9(2).
- Lai, H., & Chen, F. (2016). The impact of the USA PATRIOT Act on civil liberties. National Security Review, 11(4).
- Libertarian Party. (2023). Platform and policy statements. https://www.lp.org/platform
- Miller, T., & Payne, K. (2020). Security policies and partisanship. Political Science Quarterly, 135(1).
- Parker, C., Wilson, R., & Carter, S. (2018). Civil liberties and security policies in America. Journal of Political Science, 45(3).
- Polsby, D. D. (2014). The political system of the United States. Routledge.
Note: The references contain placeholder citations adapted for illustrative purposes; real research should be used for an actual academic paper.
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