A Level Politics - Comparing Civil Rights-Comparative Civil Rights Debates: USA vs. UK

Comparative Civil Rights Debates: USA vs. UK
I. Balancing Civil Liberties and National Security

• Shared Concern: Both countries grapple with balancing individual freedoms with national security, especially during crises. Post-9/11, both enacted controversial legislation:
  • USA: The Patriot Act (2001) expanded government surveillance powers.
  • UK: The Prevention of Terrorism Act (2005) introduced control orders (later repealed).
• Ideological Nuance: Debate doesn't neatly align with political ideologies. Examples include Tony Blair (Labour, UK) and George W. Bush (Republican, USA) both supporting enhanced security measures, and libertarian Republican Rand Paul opposing drone strikes. Generally, US Democrats lean towards greater civil liberties protection.

II. Women's Rights

• Similarities: Both countries share a history of debates surrounding suffrage, feminism, equality, and anti-discrimination. The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are global phenomena.
• Key Difference: Abortion: Abortion is highly divisive in the USA (Roe v. Wade, 1973; partisan issue), while it's largely accepted in the UK (Abortion Act, 1967; Northern Ireland legalised in 2019). The difference is partly attributed to the higher religiosity in the USA (56% religious vs. 30% in the UK). Note: Chapter 16 provides further detail on the US judiciary's role in shaping abortion rights.

III. Racial Equality

• Shared Challenges: Both nations face inequalities and prejudices against ethnic minorities, particularly Black people.
• Different Approaches:
  • USA: Affirmative action policies exist to address historical disadvantages.
  • UK: While affirmative action is absent, criticism focuses on underrepresentation of minority ethnic groups in higher education.
• Historical Context: The US civil rights movement (1950s-60s) and its legacy of segregation are significant differences from the UK's experience. However, both countries have witnessed major civil rights campaigns, such as the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott (UK) and the Black Lives Matter movement (global). Note: Chapter 23 delves deeper into US racial politics.
• Police Brutality: A significant disparity exists in police-involved killings (1004 in USA vs. 3 in UK in 2019). The UK's "sus" laws (repealed) and the Stephen Lawrence case highlight past issues of police racism. Recent Black Lives Matter protests in the UK sparked discussions about police practices, disproportionate stop-and-searches, and representation in prison populations.

IV. Immigrant Rights

• USA: Debates centre on the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, including the controversial family separation policy and the legal battles surrounding DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
• UK: Debates involve access to NHS and council housing for immigrants, and deportation's implications for human rights under the HRA (Human Rights Act). Brexit also heavily involved anti-immigrant sentiment.

V. LGBTQ+ Rights

• Similarities: Both countries have seen intense debates regarding same-sex marriage (legalised in 2015 and 2013 respectively), religious objections to serving LGBTQ+ customers, and LGBTQ+ education in schools.
• Transgender Rights: Both countries have seen debates and policy shifts regarding transgender rights. The US Supreme Court ruling in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (2020) protected transgender employees from discrimination, while the UK government cancelled plans to simplify gender recognition processes.

VI. Gun Rights

• Stark Contrast: The Second Amendment debate dominates US politics, while gun control is widely accepted in the UK.

VII. Religious Freedom vs. Anti-Discrimination

• Similar Cases: Legal cases in both the UK (Lee v Ashers Bakery Company Ltd) and the USA (Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission) highlight conflicts between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws regarding the provision of services to same-sex couples.

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