RIGHTS

                                              CHAPTER 5

                                                                               RIGHTS

Introduction

rights are very important for the well  being of an individual. By having rights, individuals can enjoy their life and have freedom to do what he/she wants to do. but the question arises is what kind of rights should be given to an individual? should there be any restrictions on the rights? and why are rights so important for an individual. all these questions will be addressed in this chapter on rights. 

what are rights? 

rights are entitlements that we as citizens, individuals and human beings can enjoy. they are recognied by society as legitimate claim. they are necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. for example: right to livelihood is considered necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. otherwise, we have to beg for buying basic necessities and this hurts the dignity of an individual. 

rights are also claimed because they are necessary for our well being. they help individuals to develop their skills and talents. for example: right to education. an educated person can develop his skills and progress in life. 

Q&A

Q1. what are rights?

A1. rights are entitlements that we as citizens, individuals and human beings can enjoy. they are recognied by society as legitimate claim.

Q2. why are rights necessary?

A2.a. rights are necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. for example: right to livelihood is considered necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. otherwise, we have to beg for buying basic necessities and this hurts the dignity of an individual. 

b. rights are also claimed because they are necessary for our well being. they help individuals to develop their skills and talents. for example: right to education. an educated person can develop his skills and progress in life.  

Q3. how does rights leads to a dignified life?

A3. rights are necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. for example: right to livelihood is considered necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. otherwise, we have to beg for buying basic necessities and this hurts the dignity of an individual. 

 where do rights come from?

in 17th and 18th century, thinkers have said that rights are derived from god or given us by nature. the rights are derived from natural. it means that rights are not given by any ruler or a society rather we are born with them. so these rights cannot be taken away. and three natural rights are: life, liberty and property. all other rights are said to be derived from these basic rights. this natural rights theory resists /opposes the arbitrary power of state and safeguards our individual freedom. 

but now term human rights are being used rather than natural rights. this is because the idea that rights are derived from god or from nature is unacceptable today. rights are seen increasingly as guarantees that human beings themselves seek to lead a minimally good life. 

human rights are given because we deserve rights   as we all are humans . It means all persons are equal and no one is born to serve others. this concept is used increasingly to challenge inequalities based on race, caste, religion or and gender. 

concept of human rights have been used to challenge the inequalities in society. for example: slavery has been abolished. human rights have been expanded as we now include right to protect our environment. 

Q&A

Q1. where have rights come from ?

A1.In 17th and 18th century, thinkers have said that rights are derived from god or given us by nature. the rights are derived from natural. it means that rights are not given by any ruler or a society rather we are born with them. so these rights cannot be taken away. and three natural rights are: life, liberty and property. all other rights are said to be derived from these basic rights. this natural rights theory resists /opposes the arbitrary power of state and safeguards our individual freedom. 

but now term human rights are being used rather than natural rights. this is because the idea that rights are derived from god or from nature is unacceptable today. rights are seen increasingly as guarantees that human beings themselves seek to lead a minimally good life. 

    Q2. what are human rights?

A2. human rights are given because we deserve rights   as we all are humans.it means all persons are equal and no one is born to serve others. this concept is used increasingly to challenge inequalities based on race, caste, religion or and gender.  

legal rights and state

Rights become more effective when they are given recognition by state. many countries have Bill of Rights in their constitution. our constitution also has fundamental rights. through rights people demand from state. rights places an obligation upon state to act in a certain way. it also indicates what the state might refrain from doing. for example: state cannot a person arbitrarily without knowing the cause. so rights ensures that authority of state is exercised without violating sanctity of an individual life and liberty. 

kinds of rights

a. political rights: it gives right to equality and right to participate in political process. t includes right to vote and elect representatives, right to contest elections, right to form political parties.

political rights are supplemented by civil liberties. civil liberties like right to a free and fair trial, right to express one's view freely, and right to protest and dissent. 

civil liberties and political rights form the basis of democratic system. 

b. economic rights: political rights can only be exercised when our basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, adequate wages are recognised.

c. cultural rights: nowadays, groups are even asking for cultural rights. for example: right to  be educated in their mother tongue, right to establish educational institutions for teaching one's language. and this is necessary for leading a good life.

Q&A

Q1. what are kinds of rights?

A1. a. political rights: it gives right to equality and right to participate in political process. it includes right to vote and elect representatives, right to contest elections, right to form political parties.

political rights are supplemented by civil liberties. civil liberties like right to a free and fair trial, right to express one's view freely, and right to protest and dissent. 

civil liberties and political rights form the basis of democratic system. 

b. economic rights: political rights can only be exercised when our basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, adequate wages are recognised.

c. cultural rights: nowadays, groups are even asking for cultural rights. for example: right to  be educated in their mother tongue, right to establish educational institutions for teaching one's language. and this is necessary for leading a good life.

Q2. what are political rights?

A2.  it gives right to equality and right to participate in political process. t includes right to vote and elect representatives, right to contest elections, right to form political parties.

political rights are supplemented by civil liberties. civil liberties like right to a free and fair trial, right to express one's view freely, and right to protest and dissent. 

civil liberties and political rights form the basis of democratic system.

 Rights and Responsibilities

a. rights are not simply claims. they are not mainly insructions given to state to act in a particular way. but it also calls for obligations or responsibilities to act in a certain way. it compel us to think not only of self interest but also defending things as being good for all of us. protecting ozone layer, minimising air and water pollution are common good.

b. it also requires that an individual must respect the rights of other. remember harm principle of JS Mill

c. we must balance our rights when they come into conflict. for example: my freedom of speech and expression says that i have right to take picture but i can not take pictures of a person bathing otherwise it will violate his/her rights.  

d. we must be careful of the limitations placed on our rights. restrictions should not be too a great extent that it harms the life and liberty of a person. for example: in a dictatorship country, ruler places large restrictions on rights. citizens should keep constant check on rights. 

Q&A

Q1. why rights are complemented with responsibilities? 

A1. a. rights are not simply claims. they are not mainly insructions given to state to act in a particular way. but it also calls for obligations or responsibilities to act in a certain way. it compel us to think not only of self interest but also defending things as being good for all of us. protecting ozone layer, minimising air and water pollution are common good.

b. it also requires that an individual must respect the rights of other. remeber harm principle of JS Mill

c. we must balance our rights when they come into conflict. for example: my freedom of speech and expression says that i have right to take picture but i can not take pictures of a person bathing otherwise it will violate his/her rights.  

d. we must be careful of the limitations placed on our rights. restrictions should not be too a great extent that it harms the life and liberty of a person. 

NCERT Solutions for Class 11th: Ch 5 Rights Political Science

Page No: 78
Exercise

1. What are rights and why are they important? What are the bases on which claims to rights can be made?
Answer
Rights are those claims which are necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity. It is important because:
• It helps individuals to develop their talents and skills.
• It helps to develop one's capacity to reason.
• It gives individuals useful skills and enables us to make informed choices in life.
The bases on which claims to rights can be made are:
• They represent conditions that we collectively see as a source of self-respect and dignity
• They are necessary for our well-being.

2. On what grounds are some rights considered to be universal in nature? Identify three rights which you consider universal. Give reasons.
Answer
Some rights are considered to be universal in nature because they are important for all human beings
who live in society. Three universal rights are:
• Right to a livelihood is necessary for leading a life of respect and dignity.
• Right to education is universal because it helps to develop our capacity to reason, gives us useful
skills and enables us to make informed choices in life.
• Freedom of expression is important as it allows for the free expression of beliefs and opinions.

3. Discuss briefly some of the new rights claims which are being put forward in our country today — for example the rights of tribal peoples to protect their habitat and way of life, or the rights of children against bonded labour.
Answer
Some of the new rights claims which are being put forward in our country today are:
• The rights for tribal people: These people are dependent on forest and land for their livelihood since ancient times. They want no interference in their habitat and way of life which is going on in the name of modernisation. According to them their demands justified and essential for leading secure and respectful life.
• The rights of children against bonded labour: Childrens are future of the country so they must be free from any kind of exploitation or bonded labour.
• The right to education: Every child must have right to receive the basic education as it helps in the development of their potential.

4. Differentiate between political, economic and cultural rights. Give examples of each kind of right.
Answer
• Political rights give to the citizens the right to equality before law and the right to participate in the political process. For example: right to vote and elect representatives, the right to contest elections, the right to form political parties or join them.
• Economic rights give the citizens the right to their basic needs of food, shelter, clothes etc. For example: right to minimum wage.
• Culture rights give the citizens right to preserve their culture and its dignity. For Example: right
to establish institutions for teaching one’s language and culture.

5. Rights place some limits on the authority of the state. Explain with examples.
Answer
Rights place some limits on the authority of the state as it suggests what the state must refrain from doing. It places certain obligations upon the state to act in a certain way. For example if right suggests that the state can not simply arrest an individual at its own will. If it wishes to put an individual behind bars it must defend that action. It must give reasons for curtailing that individual liberty before a judicial court. This is why the police are required to produce an arrest warrant before taking any person away. Thus, rights  place certain constraints upon state actions