Civil and political rights are categories of freedoms that safeguard a person’s rights from unwarranted infringement by state organs and clandestine institutions. The rights guarantee an individual political participation implying that discrimination and repression are never tolerated.
Civil rights entail protecting physical integrity and wellbeing, preventing discrimination based on physical or cognitive capabilities, gender disparity, ensuring that there is freedom of religion, preventing ethnicity, avoiding discrimination based on age and allowing diverse sexual orientation.
Civil liberties can also include freedoms of thoughts and ethics, speech and expression, and the freedom of press and movement. Political rights may include natural justice, rules of law, right to fair trial and the right to participate in political processes, which include the right to vote and the right to present candidature to the electorate.
In the US, civil rights developed first before political rights. The US has had an enduring history with regards to fundamental rights and freedoms. Women and people of color have struggled to fit in the wider society.
Their activities have contributed to democracy in the US. Americans showed their will and desire to govern themselves when they challenged the colonial government due to its high handedness and unresponsive behavior. The colonialists had established their own administrative units that were intolerant and indifferent to the sufferings of the majority.
Americans united to fight a war that was later termed as the American War of Independence. People were granted their rights after the leaders adopted republicanism as a political dogma. This meant that people had to be represented by candidates of their choice.
It was proved that the electorate was more powerful than the ruler. Afterwards, Americans drafted some guidelines that would dictate the relationship between the ruled and the ruler. The principles were found in the federalist papers. Each individual had to vote for a leader of his/her choice. Through this, the state was able to be governed democratically.
In early 1900, Americans entered into another war that was aimed at abolishing inhuman treatment. The war was referred to as American Civil War. The South fought with the North because of different opinions regarding slavery. The North wanted slavery to be abolished while the south posited that slavery was to be allowed. The war nearly divided Americans into two but the North finally won.
This was an indication that Americans were against inhuman slavery that had rocked the society. Some members were forced to supply free labor because of their skin color. Since then, America has never been the same again meaning that much has been gained with regards to civil and political rights.
Women have stood out to fight for their rights by lobbying government to institute laws aimed at protecting them. Presently, it is an offence to use a gender-biased language. Equally, it is a criminal offence to discriminate another person based on gender. Feminist groups have struggled to restore the dignity of women in society by advocating for equality in society.
Due to their efforts, women are currently employed in professions that were previously reserved for men only. At work place, women have found themselves in high positions because the constitution bars an individual from discriminating another person based on gender.
This means that American society is a diverse society that appreciates the efforts of all members. It is not surprising that women have been fully incorporated in the financial system.