citizen's emphasis on the individual's quest for actualization and individual liberty and

freedom as necessary for individuals to pursue self-actualization (Higgins, 1954).

 The individual rights of a society are formalized and codified into what Artistotle

referred to as conventional law (Aquinas, 350 B.C./1962) and Aquinas referred to as

human law (Aquinas, 1264/1905); which are laws, created by citizens, to protect person

and property, also referred to as basic human rights derived from natural law (Higgins,

1954). These human or conventional laws are codified natural laws and first foundational

laws (Higgins; Miller, 1996).

 The same declaration that guarantees equal rights also recognizes that governments

are instituted among men to secure these rights (Hutchins, 1952). Therefore, the United

States Constitution guarantees defense of its citizens against discrimination, abuse of

power, and harm to person or property (Hutchins). Citizens have the right to ask their

government to enforce their constitutional rights (Hutchins). As a result, government is

charged with upholding the rights of its citizens, which is the enforcement of human or

conventional laws (Miller, 1996). The enforcement of laws is how society guarantees that

the core value system is upheld and protected for all citizens. The process of ensuring

equal rights through enforcement is a major component of social justice (Higgins, 1954).

Equality and bias

The discussion on equality in the previous section is significant because it represents the

core value system of the United States. However, there are other means of identifying the

core value system of a society. According to Lawrence (1999), the range of bias that is

tolerated and accepted by a nation or other politically organized society is a statement of

what that society values and, more important, its sense of equality (Lawrence). Because

equality and bias are considered to be at opposite ends of the spectrum a society that