September 23, Slides 1-6 Flashcards
When does King argue it is acceptable to break the law?
King believes it is acceptable to break unjust laws when those laws violate moral or natural laws. He emphasizes that such actions should be nonviolent, open, and accompanied by a willingness to face the consequences.
How does King’s Letter connect to the importance of “rights”?
King’s Letter emphasizes that rights are essential for ensuring equality and justice. He advocates for civil disobedience as a way to claim and defend these rights when they are denied by unjust laws.
Why is King’s Letter an example of modern politics?
King’s Letter reflects modern politics by focusing on the struggle for civil rights, the importance of racial equality, and the use of nonviolent resistance to challenge systemic injustice.
What is the challenge of cultural diversity, as mentioned in Chapter 3?
The challenge is to acknowledge and respect differences among people without creating or perpetuating inequality. It involves balancing the recognition of diversity with fostering unity, as captured by the phrase “E pluribus unum” (Out of many, one).
What question does cultural diversity pose about unity?
Cultural diversity poses the question of how to create a sense of unity and shared identity while embracing differences among people without undermining equality.
What is a “right”?
A right is a legal claim to be entitled to something, often against the state, but sometimes against another individual (e.g., in a contract). Rights can be based on specific statuses, such as human rights, Charter rights, or rights specific to a group like Acadia students.
How do rights relate to political power?
Rights are tools that individuals or groups can use to exercise political power by making legal or moral claims to achieve equality, justice, or access to resources.
What are some examples of different types of rights?
Examples include human rights (universal claims based on humanity), Charter rights (specific to Canada’s legal framework), and specific group rights like the rights of Acadia students or workers under labor contracts.
How are rights connected to modern politics?
Rights are central to modern politics as they are often the basis for laws, contracts, and political debates. They reflect individual claims within a legal framework and highlight the importance of equality and justice.
How are rights typically framed in modern contexts?
Rights are usually individual and framed as a “bubble” of entitlements that protect a person’s interests against the state or other people, ensuring autonomy and dignity.
How does King address the relationship between race and rights?
King highlights the denial of civil and political rights to African Americans due to systemic racism. He argues that achieving racial equality requires the acknowledgment and enforcement of these rights.
What does “E pluribus unum” signify in the context of diversity?
“E pluribus unum” emphasizes the challenge of creating unity and shared identity out of the many diverse groups within a society while respecting and preserving their differences.
What does it mean to use rights as tools in politics?
Using rights as tools in politics means leveraging legal claims to advocate for equality, justice, and access to resources. Rights empower individuals and groups to demand fair treatment and challenge injustices.
Why are rights considered a modern invention?
Rights are tied to the development of law-based and contract-based politics in modern states. They reflect the shift toward individual claims within a structured legal framework aimed at ensuring justice and autonomy.
How can rights address the challenge of inequality in diversity?
Rights provide a framework for recognizing and respecting differences without creating inequality, ensuring that all individuals have equal protection and opportunities under the law.
