Key Concepts of Rights and Justice
1. Power
- The ability to effect change, central to global politics.
- Shapes relationships and the enforcement of rights/justice.
2. Sovereignty
- A state's right to self-govern.
- Central to debates over how and whether states uphold human rights.
3. Legitimacy
- Acceptance of authority by others.
- Key in evaluating the credibility of governments, IGOs, NGOs, and courts in justice matters.
4. Interdependence
- Mutual reliance among actors (states, groups, regions).
- Impacts how rights and justice are understood and enforced globally.
5. Equality
- All people have equal intrinsic value.
- Tied to rights and justice, highlights how inequality affects access and outcomes.
6. Liberty
- Negative liberty: freedom from coercion.
- Positive liberty: freedom to act.
- Crucial to rights-based frameworks.
7. Justice
- Concerned with fairness and rightful treatment.
- Complex is key in understanding what individuals or groups are owed.
8. Rights
- Linked to dignity and personal freedom.
- Seen as essential for a just society and a dignified life.
Understanding Rights
1. Types of Human Rights
Definition
Rights
Rights are entitlements or permissions that individuals or groups have, often protected by law or moral principles.
- Human Rights: Universal rights inherent to all humans, regardless of nationality, gender, or other status.
