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  1. AP Comparative Government
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Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

William Gray

William Gray

8 min read

Next Topic - Political and Social Cleavages

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers civil rights and civil liberties in six countries, focusing on the differences between authoritarian and democratic regimes. Key topics include: protection of speech and assembly, the role of media, and the spectrum of regime types (from established democracies to authoritarian regimes). It also provides Freedom House data comparisons and practice questions for the AP Comparative Government exam.

#AP Comparative Government: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Study Guide

Welcome to your ultimate guide for AP Comparative Government! This guide is designed to help you confidently tackle the exam, especially the night before when time is precious. Let's break down the key concepts of civil rights and civil liberties, making sure everything clicks into place. 🚀

#Unit 3: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

This unit explores how different regimes protect (or don't protect) the rights of their citizens. We'll look at how these protections vary across our six course countries, focusing on the crucial differences between authoritarian and democratic systems. Remember, understanding these differences is key to success on the exam.

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Key Concept

What are Civil Liberties?

Memory Aid

Think of civil liberties as the individual rights that shield you from unfair government interference. These are the basic freedoms that allow you to express yourself and live your life without undue government control.

  • Essentially, these are your personal freedoms protected by law. 🛡️
  • All six countries have some form of these protections written down, but the implementation is what varies.

#3.1 Protection of Assembly and Speech 📣

Memory Aid

Assembly and Speech: Think of these as your rights to gather peacefully and speak your mind. These are fundamental to a functioning democracy. 🗣️

  • Written Rights: All six countries on paper protect these rights.
  • Authoritarian Regimes (China, Russia, Iran):
    • Rule by Law: The law is used to reinforce state authority, not to protect individual rights.
    • Critical speech and assembly are often suppressed. 🚫
    • Examples: Russia criminalizes unapproved protests, China and Iran violently suppress dissent and control internet access.
  • Democratic Regimes (UK, Mexico, Nigeria):
    • Rule of Law: The state is bound by the same rules as its citizens, and citizens have input into policy. ⚖️
    • Generally, greater freedom to assemble and speak, as long as it's non-violent.
    • Examples: UK has strong common law traditions, Nigeria and Mexico have seen protests impact policy, but also instances of violent suppression.

#3.2 Media 📰

Memory Aid

Media as a Linkage Institution: The media i...

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Question 1 of 12

🎉 Which of the following best defines civil liberties, according to the text?

The government's power to enforce laws

Individual rights that shield people from unfair government interference

The rules that governments create to control citizens

The collective rights of all citizens