What is the difference between the responsibilities and the duties of US citizens? Responsibilities are tasks that are required of citizens by law, while duties are tasks that are expected of citizens. Responsibilities are laws that citizens must obey, while duties are optional activities that citizens can participate in. Responsibilities are laws that citizens can choose whether or not to obey, while duties are activities that citizens must participate in. Responsibilities are tasks that are expected of citizens, while duties are tasks that are required of citizens by law.