this topic before entering into any discussion of civil versus individual rights.
             Then one must asks, what is societies role in securing my rights? What are my duties to society? This in turn brings up a discussion of societies' purpose. One could ask what provoked man to first enter into a civil organization. In discussing any of the above-mentioned topics, the issue of morals plays a significant role. Whether one simply states that rights are based on moral principals, or that all decision making is somehow carried out using moral principals, it would be impossible to remove it from scope of the discussion at hand. Also important in deciding which sphere has greater importance, civil or individual, are self-interest and the degree to which they have influence over this decision. Are we motivated completely by self-interest, or is there another factor that facilitates our motivations? Is civil interest distinct form individual interest or does it exist only as a method of protecting individual interest. Further topics and phases may arise when discussing the question and its related issues. Those such as laws, citizenship, public good, and ethics may possibly appear in my discussion.
             I will in this paper, attempt to discuss the American ideological opinion on this question of civil versus individual rights and duties. In attempting to do this I will discuss the view of some of Americas more influential political theorist, as presented in their books, on the issues as they arise. My goal is to tackle as many of the issues above as possible, while making clear and concise a statement as possible. This is a very diverse issue and keeping the discussion simple will be my ultimate challenge. But I hope to conclude with my view while leaving you with a clear understanding of the case I have presented.
             What is a right? The nature of rights and what they entail, as well as some of their various forms is the discussion I will proce...