How do civil liberties differ from civil rights?

Civil liberties focus on the freedoms that individuals possess, which protect them from government interference in their personal lives. These fundamental rights, often enshrined in legal frameworks such as constitutions or human rights acts, ensure that individuals can exercise their freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly without coercive actions from the state. This distinction underscores the role of government in safeguarding personal freedoms, preventing it from encroaching on individual rights.

In contrast, civil rights relate to the extension of these liberties to various groups within society, ensuring that all individuals receive equal treatment and protection under the law, particularly against discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or disability. While civil liberties grant protections from government actions, civil rights ensure that all people can enjoy those liberties equally.

Understanding this distinction clarifies why civil liberties are characterized by the protection against government encroachment, making choice A the correct answer. The other options inaccurately frame civil rights and civil liberties in ways that do not highlight their foundational differences or misrepresent their nature.