Common Good vs. Individual
Rights
Newsweek columnist Robert J.
Samuelson recently wrote:
"We face a choice between a society
where people accept modest sacrifices
for a common good or a more
contentious society where groups
selfishly protect their own benefits."
What does Mr. Samuelson’s
quote mean?
Write a response.
What is the “Common Good?”
• The “Good” that is shared by a
community. In other words, what is best
for the whole - or the majority - of a
population or group.
Does the Common Good
require sacrifice?
As Mr. Samuelson wrote, yes, sacrifices
are required. But, they should not
violate individual rights:
“Majority rules, minority rights protected.”
Should individuals be allowed
to smoke in public places?
Common good
vs.
Individual rights
What do you think?
Is the Bill of Rights a gift…
a contract…
What comes with rights?
Write what you think.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
The government will not
establish a State religion, or
prohibit people from
exercising their religious
beliefs.
I will not attempt to use
the power and privileges
of government to further
my religious beliefs.
The government will not
diminish the freedom of
speech or the freedom
of the press.
I will endeavor always
to speak in a
responsible manner
and to read critically.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
The government will not
interfere with the
freedom to assemble
peaceably.
The government will not
prohibit people from
petitioning for redress of
grievances.
I will assemble
peacefully with due
respect for law and
order in a civilized
society.
I will petition the
government for redress
of grievances only after
careful thought
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
The right of the
people to keep and
bear arms for the
militia shall not be
infringed.
I will keep and
bear arms in
such manner as
to avoid injury to
others.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
In times of peace no soldier
will be quartered in any
house without the consent
of the owner, nor in
wartime, except as
prescribed by law.
I will not burden the
government in times
of peace and I will
cooperate with the
government h time of
war.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
The people and
their homes shall
not be subject to
unreasonable
searches and
seizures
I will not attempt, or
permit, the conduct of
unlawful activities in my
home.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
A person suspected of a capital crime shall not
be held accountable, unless indicted by a grand
jury.
I will refrain from expressing opinions about
suspected criminals and allow the legal
system to operate without my involvement.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
A person accused of a
crime shall have the
right to a speedy and
public trial by jury.
I will serve on a jury,
willingly and without
bias, when requested
to do so.
Common law suits
involving property
shall also have the
right of a trial by jury.
I will refrain from
seeking compensation
for trivial, unlikely
causes for purely
personal gain.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
Excessive fines, or
cruel and unusual
punishments, shall
not be imposed.
I will not engage in
schemes designed to
deprive the government
of its legal rights.
The rights listed
here do not lessen
I will respect the need of the
any other rights,
government to be adaptive to
which are retained
the challenges of its time.
by the people.
Bill of Rights
Rights AND Obligations
Powers not
delegated to the
government, or the
states, are reserved
for the states, or the
people.
I will exercise the
powers to which I
am entitled with
restraint and urge
my state
government to do
the same.
What do you think?
QuickTime™ and a
Sorenson Video 3 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
After watching this movie and
going through this presentation,
what do you think the “common
good” means?
What do you think about the
common good versus individual
rights?
(write your responses)
Sources
• http://www.thinkwise.com/BillofRights.htm
• http://www.ncsl.org/public/trust/handout
4-m.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_go
od
• www.unitedstreaming.com