Civil Rights

The principle of freedom of conscience of the individual is the source of the civil rights culture of liberal democracies. The idea that it is morally wrong for one person or group to oppress another arises exclusively from the fact that such oppression violates the sovereign value of an individual.

Before the establishment of that principle the oppression of one group by another was not thought to be morally wrong but rather the natural order of political contestation. Outside of Western civilization the belief that the oppression of one group by another is the natural order of things continues to be held.

Western civil rights culture is therefore unique in offering individuals equal protection from discrimination by the State and instead offering equal treatment under the law, regardless of race, gender, religion, or other characteristics. That includes protection of the right to free speech and expression where individuals can express their thoughts and opinions without censorship or restraint limited only by the condition that those thoughts and opinions do not risk imminent physical harm to another person.

From free speech follow the rights to free association and assembly so that people can form organizations and political parties and that every citizen has a right to participate in elections which in turn ensure the legitimacy of state power.