Title: MIEPIC - Core Democratic Values Module
Headings: Educator Notes: GG02
Educator Notes: GG02
Core Values, Rights & Liberties
Core Values and Basic Rights of American Constitutional Democracy
Individual Rights of American Democracy:
Legal Equality:
Constitutional Government – Limited Government:
Core Democratic Values of American Democracy

Content: .Responsible and effective civic participation fosters these qualities and constitutes the mission of civic education. Core Values and Basic Rights of American Constitutional Democracy
Core democratic values are the basic American cultural beliefs that provide the underpinnings of our democracy and protect the individual’s rights. They are the constitutional principles that unite all Americans. These values and rights are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, federal and state statutes, and other significant documents, speeches, and writings of the nation. Below is a list of some of our rights as American citizens and essential core democratic values. Individual Rights of American Democracy: Life – each citizen has the right to the protection of their life
Liberty – should be considered an unalterable aspect of the human condition. This right includes the following: Right to private property – individuals should be free to acquire, use, transfer and dispose of private property without unreasonable governmental interference
Freedom of the press – individuals should be free to express themselves in printed form
Freedom of speech – individuals should be able to speak their opinion
Freedom of assembly and association – individuals should be able to gather in groups with whomever they wish
Freedom of religion – individuals should be free to believe as they wish
Privacy – individuals have a right to be let alone
Freedom to petition the government – an individual has the right to approach the government, either individually, or most commonly as a group, to promote some form of change or address an issue
Political Equality – all citizens may participate in the democratic process equally
Right to vote and seek office -
Legal Equality: Equal protection - all citizens have under the law
Equal opportunity – all citizens have an equal right to access to any form of public education, public housing and public facilities
Equal opportunity in employment – all citizens have a right to seek employment on an equal basis
Justice – People should be treated fairly in the distribution of the benefits and burdens of society, corrections of wrongs and injuries, and gathering of information and making of decisions
Right of due process – assures individuals that their life, liberty and property cannot be taken away without "due process of law" – including a fair hearing conducted according to all legal safeguards that protect the person against sanctions imposed by the state.