IB Philosophy 7.3.1 Rights, Duties and Responsibilities Key Definitions

Cultural imperialism refers to the imposition of one culture's values, norms, or practices onto other cultures, typically by those in positions of global power. Nussbaum responds to this objection by grounding the capabilities list in cross-cultural dialogue rather than any single cultural tradition.

Legitimacy in political philosophy refers to the moral right of a government to exercise authority and the corresponding obligation of citizens to obey its laws. Theories of legitimacy range from consent-based accounts, which ground authority in the agreement of the governed, to procedural accounts that locate it in fair institutional processes, and substantive accounts that tie it to the government's delivery of justice and the common good.

Natural rights are rights that individuals possess by virtue of their humanity, prior to and independent of any legal system or political institution. John Locke argued that the rights to life, liberty, and property are natural and inalienable, and a government that violates them forfeits its legitimacy.

Negative rights are rights not to be interfered with, requiring others (including the state) to refrain from acting. Positive rights are rights to be provided with something, requiring others to take action such as providing education or healthcare. The distinction is politically significant because positive rights demand resources and redistribution, while negative rights demand only restraint.