Revision notes on Universal Values and Human Rights in Principles of Political Economy - Philosophy & Politics. Topics covered:
- Are human beings born free and equal?
- Global minimum rights (Miller)
- Obligations
- Higher threshold (Caney, Nussbaum)
- Critiques of universalism
- Human rights as a...
PH338 Universal Values and Human Rights
This is the question of the content and form (as opposed to “scope”) of obligations to
foreigners.
How should we conceive these obligations and give them meaning?
Can we compare values across borders and if not, how can we fulfil obligations to
non-compatriots? Should human rights be minimal or comprehensive?
Do human rights cover non-universal issues like religious freedom, democracy,
secular education and absence of gross inequality.
Empirically, most states have formally accepted the existence of human rights. Do
these commitments extend to practical matters?
“All Human Beings are born Free and Equal”
Is this really true? It seems complicated to argue from a philosophical standpoint and also
gives rise to issues of universality. Political debates are often framed within moral
absolutism - the notion that some practices and the cultures that practice them are
unequivocally bad (FGM, women’s rights etc.). But this presupposes the existence of a
universal standard.
How can we justify universalism?
Dworkin see relativism as self-refuting; cultural relativists necessarily lay claim to
universal truths, thus becoming universalists themselves.
Caney dismisses attempts to attack universalism, concluding that “relativism is
self-defeating”. Admits that it could be possible that human rights exist universally,
but their content does not. Universalism is at least plausible due to the existence of
human commonalities. The question remains of where the threshold should be,
what humans have in common, and the implications for global justice.
Miller: A Basic Minimum
Miller takes ‘basic rights’ from Shue. These give rise to claims on others, backed by
social guarantees that provide the institutions necessary to enforce them (as opposed to
a formal declaration of rights). These basic rights would be “urgent enough to trigger
remedial responsibilities in outsiders” and require immediate action to enforce. Miller’s
rights:
“Can specify a global minimum that people everywhere are entitled to as a matter of
justice, and that therefore may impose obligations, on rich nations especially”
They should be based on principles that everyone has a reason to accept - i.e.,
non-paternalistic.
Miller’s grounding for such rights presents 3 options - he advocates the third:
Empirical: The existing practice of human rights indicates the minimum. This only
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller aclark32. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $4.50. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
