5. Rights

A right is essentially an entitlement or a justified claim. It denotes what we are entitled to as citizens, as individuals and as human beings. It is something that we consider to be due to us; something that the rest of society must recognise as being a legitimate claim that must be upheld. This does not mean that everything that I regard to be necessary and desirable is a right.

A right is a claim or entitlement that individuals believe they should have, which society and the law are obligated to uphold. Rights are not just any desires or wants; they must be recognized as legitimate and necessary for respect and dignity in life. For example, wanting to dress a specific way at school does not qualify as a right unless it is acknowledged by the school policies.

Think of rights like having a library card. It's not just about wanting to take books out; having that card is an entitlement recognized by the library. Similarly, rights are recognized claims that we have within society.

Rights are primarily those claims that I along with others regard to be necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. For example, the right to livelihood may be considered necessary for leading a life of dignity.

Rights are closely tied to the concepts of respect and dignity. When people talk about rights, they often refer to things that they need to live well, like a job or the freedom to express their thoughts. The right to a livelihood ensures that individuals can support themselves and lead dignified lives, which is essential for everyone.

Imagine someone trying to create art. If they do not have a job to support themselves, they may struggle and lose confidence in their abilities. The right to a job provides them the means to pursue their interests and create art, contributing to their dignity.

Rights such as the right to a livelihood, or freedom of expression would be important for all human beings who live in society and they are described as universal in nature.

Certain rights are considered universal because they apply to all people in society regardless of their background. For instance, everyone needs the right to work and express opinions freely. This universality is grounded in the idea that every person is entitled to live with dignity.

Think of universal rights like the basic rules of a game that apply to every player, regardless of where they're from. Just as everyone should follow these rules to play fairly and enjoy the game, everyone should have access to the same basic rights to live justly.

However, in most cases the claimed rights are directed towards the state. That is, through these rights people make demands upon the state.

Rights often empower individuals to hold the state accountable. When someone claims a right, they are asking the government to fulfill certain obligations, like providing education or health services. Essentially, rights ensure that the state acts in ways that support and protect its citizens.

Consider a citizen petitioning local government for better public transport. When they assert their right to effective public services, they are reminding the government of its obligation to serve its citizens' needs.

Rights not only place obligations upon the state to act in a certain way — for instance, to ensure sustainable development — but they also place obligations upon each of us.

Rights come with responsibilities, meaning individuals must respect the rights of others while exercising their own rights. This also includes taking actions that benefit the community, like maintaining the environment or supporting social equity.

Imagine you live in an apartment with neighbors. You have a right to enjoy your space, but you also have a responsibility not to play loud music that disturbs others. Balancing rights and responsibilities ensures everyone can enjoy their rights fully.

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