Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Political Theory
Rights
Chapter 5
Rights
Overview
In everyday life we often talk of our rights. As members of a democratic country we
may speak of such rights as the right to vote, the right to form political parties, the
right to contest elections and so on. But apart from the generally accepted political
and civil rights, people today are also making new demands for rights such as the
right to information, right to clean air or the right to safe drinking water. Rights are
claimed not only in relation to our political and public lives but also in relation to
our social and personal relationships. Moreover, rights may be claimed not only for
adult human beings but also for children, unborn foetuses, and even animals. The
notion of rights is thus invoked in a variety of different ways by different people. In
this chapter we will explore:
o What do we mean when we speak of rights?
o What is the basis on which rights are claimed?
o What purpose do rights serve and, why are they so important?
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5.1 WHAT ARE RIGHTS?
Political Theory
democratic societies are beginning to recognise these
obligations and providing economic rights. In some
countries, citizens, particularly those with low
incomes, receive housing and medical facilities from
LETS DEBATE
the state; in others, unemployed persons receive a
The right to culture certain minimum wage so that they can meet their
means that no one basic needs. In India the government has recently
should be allowed to introduced a rural employment guarantee scheme,
make films that offend among other measures to help the poor.
the r eligious or
cultural beliefs of
Today, in addition to political and economic rights
others. more and more democracies are recognising the
cultural claims of their citizens. The right to have
primary education in ones mother tongue, the right
to establish institutions for teaching ones language and culture,
are today recognised as being necessary for leading a good life. The
list of rights has thus steadily increased in democracies. While some
rights, primarily the right to life, liberty, equal treatment, and the
right to political participation are seen as basic rights that must
receive priority, other conditions that are necessary for leading a
decent life, are being recognised as justified claims or rights.
LETS THINK
Which of the following rights granted to groups/
communities are justifiable? Discuss.
o Jain community in a town sets up its own school
and enrols students only from its own community.
o Purchase of land or property in Himachal Pradesh
is restricted to those who are residents in that
state.
o The principal of a co-ed college issued a circular
that no girl should wear any western dress.
o A Panchayat in Haryana decided that the boy and
the girl from different castes who married each
other will not be allowed to live in the village.
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Political Theory
be used to curtail the civil liberties of individuals for
such powers can be misused. Governments can become
authoritarian and undermine the very reasons for which
LETS DEBATE governments exist namely, the well-being of the
members of the state. Hence, even though rights can
One mans rights end
never be absolute, we need to be vigilant in protecting
where the other mans
nose begins. our rights and those of others for they form the basis
of a democratic society.
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Rights
On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted
and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following
this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicise
the text of the Declaration and to cause it to be disseminated, displayed,
read and expounded principally in schools and other educational
institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries
or territories.
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and
inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation
of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in
barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and
the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of
speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed
as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse,
as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human
rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly
relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter
reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and
worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women
and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of
life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-
operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect
for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is
of the greatest importance for the full realisation of this pledge,
Now, therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common
standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that
every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote
respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures,
national and international, to secure their universal and effective
recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States
themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction. 77
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Rights Political Theory
1. What are rights and why are they important? What are the bases on
which claims to rights can be made?
Exercises
3. Discuss briefly some of the new rights claims which are being put
forward in our country today for example the rights of tribal peoples
to protect their habitat and way of life, or the rights of children against
bonded labour.
5. Rights place some limits on the authority of the state. Explain with
examples.