evaluate the view that ethnic minority rights are adequately protected in the USA (30)
Within the USA, it can be seen that there are many systems in place in order to protect minority
rights.These are ; interest groups, legislation and minority representation within politics.Each of
these has a differing level of effectiveness, but overall it can be argued that these 3 factors
provide adequate rights protection for minorities within the USA.
The most important area in which this can be seen is through the work of interest groups and
their role in protecting minority rights within the USA.The main example of this can be seen
through the growth of groups spurred on by the black civil rights movement during the 60’s ,
starting groups such as the NAACP and CORE who campaigned for key rights legislation such
as the 1964 civil rights act and the 1969 voting rights act.More modern examples such as the
BLM movement exist, using media attention in order to push minority rights to the forefront, this
attention is gained through protests (grassroots activism) as well as voter drives in order to help
push politicians in support of these groups.Interest groups can be seen as successful due to
their link to the creation of legislation, this can be seen as crucial due to their work having a
direct legislative impact that can help enfranchise minority groups and therefore protect their
rights.However, it can be argued that opposing groups can limit successes, such as the
religious right groups fueled by individuals such as Jerry fallwell in the 70’s damaging the growth
of gay and womens rights due to their lobbying of traditionalist values.Overall, this shows that
interest groups have a key role in protecting minority rights due to giving these groups a
collective voice and therefore a platform on which to create change benefiting their group.
The second most important area linking to the protection of minority rights can be seen to be
legislation protecting them and their rights
Evaluate the extent to which the Supreme Court has protected constitutional rights in recent
years. [30 marks
Within the USA, it can be seen that there are many systems in place in order to protect minority
rights.These are ; interest groups, legislation and minority representation within politics.Each of
these has a differing level of effectiveness, but overall it can be argued that these 3 factors
provide adequate rights protection for minorities within the USA.
The most important area in which this can be seen is through the work of interest groups and
their role in protecting minority rights within the USA.The main example of this can be seen
through the growth of groups spurred on by the black civil rights movement during the 60’s ,
starting groups such as the NAACP and CORE who campaigned for key rights legislation such
as the 1964 civil rights act and the 1969 voting rights act.More modern examples such as the
BLM movement exist, using media attention in order to push minority rights to the forefront, this
attention is gained through protests (grassroots activism) as well as voter drives in order to help
push politicians in support of these groups.Interest groups can be seen as successful due to
their link to the creation of legislation, this can be seen as crucial due to their work having a
direct legislative impact that can help enfranchise minority groups and therefore protect their
rights.However, it can be argued that opposing groups can limit successes, such as the
religious right groups fueled by individuals such as Jerry fallwell in the 70’s damaging the growth
of gay and womens rights due to their lobbying of traditionalist values.Overall, this shows that
interest groups have a key role in protecting minority rights due to giving these groups a
collective voice and therefore a platform on which to create change benefiting their group.
The second most important area linking to the protection of minority rights can be seen to be
legislation protecting them and their rights
Evaluate the extent to which the Supreme Court has protected constitutional rights in recent
years. [30 marks
