Week One - Social Problems Flashcards
Definition of Human Rights
1.) we all have them by simple virtue of being human - although rights derive from society rather than human nature, they can be different between societies
they affirm the moral worth of every human being
- ) human rights are presumed to be the highest possible moral claim. However, they are not an intrinsic biological or physical fact
- ) other people must recognize it for it to exist and it has to be secured through human action (they don’t exist without people recognizing them and taking action - this is the 1st step).
- )Even if they aren’t recognized in law (Poverty isn’t against the law) a right emerges from a moral or ideological belief, they DO NOT emerge from the law.
When people make a human rights claim it is usually because…
they feel something unfair is happening.
Throughout history, human rights have been a
rallying cry for those who celebrate equality and diversity.
Human rights is essential to…
They are essential to any democracy, democracy wouldn’t be healthy without human rights, democracy must be committed to protecting the minority from repressive majorities.
Democracies protect human…
agency
Human Rights are grounded on the presumption of the
equal moral worth of dignity of all human beings
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) views on Human Rights
“Nonsense upon stilts” – human rights are too vague of a concept, he preferred to base the law on objective measures of what makes people happy/unhappy rather than an abstract principle of Human Rights
Durkheim, Weber, Marx (1818-1883) views on Human Rights
All 3 were skeptical of human rights, Marx thought rights were simply a camoflauge, a justification for protecting private property (simply a tool of the borgeousie)
Self Interest vs. Collective Good
People are skeptical of human rights because they’re too individualistic, they put the rights of the individual over the collective good (“What are my rights?”)
- Concern that rights focus too much on individuals rather than the group (South Africa: focus on rights and duty to society)
What are 3 things Human Rights can do?
- Cultural Relativity
- Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Empower the marginalized
How can a Social Problem be based on Subjective and Objective aspects..
Objective: crime stats., Poverty
Subjective: how people evaluate or understand crime/poverty
Social Problems aren’t ..
subjective facts they are a social process (much like human rights)
Civil Rights in Canada
Very inadequate term for discussing rights in Canada, (frequently used in US), in Canada’s constitution Civil Rights are defined very narrowly and in relation to property rights
Civil Liberties in Canada
British tradition, narrowly defined and usually in reference to due process and the fundamental freedoms at the beginning of the charter (section 2 of the charter). Also includes the idea of non-discrimination.
Human Rights in Canada
Includes Civil Rights & Civil Liberties and an array of rights (Right to housing, right to education etc…)
