What are the advantages of invididual rights versus public order?

Question

What are the advantages of invididual rights versus public order?

Answer 1

Your question has been reproduced below to preserve the original fact pattern to which this answer applies:

Q: What are the advantages of invididual rights versus public order?

A: There is no quick answer to your question.

Since this sounds a lot like a homework question, this answer will only be general and leading in nature.

Some historians and sociologists would have people believe that there is a dichotomy or some continuum between social engineering that emphasizes individual rights and that which emphasizes social order.

I submit that there should be no "versus" about it.

Individual rights will exist whether or not a government chooses to recognize and protect them.  Governments that do may be considered enlightened.  Governments that don't may be considered tyranical.  But there doesn't have to be a "versus" in the equation.

Often forgotten is the necessary connection between RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES.  While individuals have rights, those rights come with certain responsibilities.  The American system of politics and jurisprudence gives us one such example: Freedom of speech is encouraged and protected, but not the freedom to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater.

Responsible individuals can help ensure there is public order by being responsible in the exercise of their individual rights-- no "versus" needed.