POLS 3136 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Negative And Positive Rights, Moral Responsibility, Bourgeoisie
Document Summary
Our rights: marx: created by bourgeoisie; shouldn"t be concerned about rights. If we live in a classless society rights aren"t necessary: dworkin: as capacity. Moral responsibility: negative liberties (rights)- imply freedom from the state. Example: freedom of expression, freedom of press, right to be represented by a council. Protecting us against the state: positive liberties (rights)- imply to empowerment of individuals by the state. Socio-economic rights are positive rights: can one truly have freedom without the power to exercise that freedom, hegemony- the belief that your thoughts and actions are the results of yourself. However, we are influenced by society, the environment, media, etc Optimal idea of freedom: j. s mill: harm principle for limits, you have freedom until you infringe on others. Harm is the limit: jefferson: declaration of independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Movement from this theory of liberalism to common law protections: the charter has empowered the common law.