UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  NCERT Video Summary: Class 6 to Class 12 (English)  >  Chapter Notes: Rights

Rights Class 11 Political Science

Introduction

  • In a democracy, we have rights like voting, forming political parties, and running for office.
  • Beyond political and civil rights, people now demand rights such as access to information, clean air, and safe drinking water.
  • Rights apply not only to political and public life but also to social and personal relationships.
  • Rights can be claimed for adults, children, unborn fetuses, and even animals.
  • The concept of rights is used in various ways by different people.

Rights Class 11 Political Science

What are Rights?

  • Rights are entitlements or justified claims that indicate what we are owed as individuals and members of society.
  • Not everything that is desired or considered necessary qualifies as a right.
  • Rights are essential for living a life of respect and dignity and are grounded in collective recognition of these needs.
  • Examples of fundamental rights include the right to livelihood and freedom of expression, which are universal and vital for personal and societal functioning.
  • Rights contribute to well-being and personal development, such as through education.
  • Activities harmful to health or well-being, such as drug use or smoking, cannot be considered rights.

Rights Class 11 Political Science

Where do Rights come from? 

Political theorists in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries argued that God's nature bestows rights on us. They claimed to have derived them from natural law. This meant that rights are not bestowed by a ruler or society; rather, they are bestowed upon us at birth.

There are three natural rights identified by the early political theorists:

  1. Right to Life
  2. Right to liberty
  3. Right to property.

All the other rights were said to be derived from these basic rights.

  • The idea that we are born with certain rights is a powerful one because it implies that no state or organisation has the authority to take away what nature has bestowed upon us. 
  • The term "human rights" has become more popular in recent years than "natural rights." This is because the idea of natural law, or a set of norms established by nature or God, appears to be unacceptably radical today.
  • Human beings are increasingly seeing rights as guarantees that they seek or achieve in order to live a minimally good life. Existing inequalities based on race, caste, religion, and gender are increasingly being challenged using this concept of a free and equal self.
  • Oppressed people all over the world have used the concept of universal human rights to challenge laws that segregate them and deny them equal opportunities and rights. As societies face new threats and challenges, the list of human rights that people have claimed has grown.
  • People are increasingly aware of the need to protect the natural environment, which has resulted in calls for rights to clean air, water, and long-term development.

Question for Chapter Notes: Rights
Try yourself:
Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental right?
View Solution

Rights Class 11 Political Science

Claims for Human Rights:

  • The claims for human rights appeal to our moral self.
  • Success depends on government support and legal recognition.

Legal Recognition:

  • Crucial for the protection of rights.
  • Many countries have a Bill of Rights enshrined in their constitutions.
  • Constitutions are the highest law, giving rights primary importance.
  • In some countries, these are called Fundamental Rights.

Constitutional and Legal Framework:

  • Other laws and policies respect the rights granted in the Constitution.
  • Rights are considered basic and may be influenced by historical and cultural contexts.
  • Example: In India, the Constitution bans untouchability to address traditional social practices.

Evolution of Rights:

  • Legal endorsement gives rights a special status.
  • Rights are not solely based on legal recognition but have evolved to include previously excluded groups.
  • Reflect contemporary understandings of dignity and respect.

State's Role in Rights:

  • Rights often involve demands upon the state.
  • Example: The right to education requires the state to provide basic education.
  • While society (e.g., schools, scholarships) can contribute, the state holds the primary responsibility.

Obligations on the State:

  • Rights dictate what the state must do (e.g., protect the right to life) and what it must not do (e.g., unjustly restrict liberty).
  • Examples:
    1. The right to life obliges the state to protect individuals from harm and ensure a good quality of life.
    2. The right to liberty requires the state to justify actions like arrests and respect judicial oversight.

Purpose of Rights:

  • Rights ensure that state authority is exercised without violating individual life and liberty.
  • The state's primary purpose is to serve the well-being of its people.
  • Rulers must be accountable for their actions.

Kinds of Rights

Political Rights

  • Most democracies start by establishing a charter of political rights.
  • These rights include equality before the law, the right to vote, elect representatives, contest elections, and form or join political parties.
  • Civil liberties, such as the right to a free and fair trial, freedom of expression, and the right to protest, supplement political rights.
  • Political rights are foundational for a democratic system and protect individual well-being by ensuring government accountability, prioritizing individual concerns, and allowing influence over government decisions.

Economic Rights

  • Political rights are more meaningful when basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, health) are met.
  • Democracies increasingly recognize economic rights to ensure that individuals can meet their basic needs, including state-provided housing, medical facilities, and minimum wages.
  • Examples include state support for low-income citizens and employment guarantee schemes like those recently introduced in India to assist the poor.

Rights Class 11 Political Science

Cultural Rights

  • Modern democracies are recognizing cultural claims, such as the right to primary education in one's mother tongue and the establishment of institutions for teaching one's language and culture.
  • The list of recognized rights has expanded, with cultural rights being acknowledged alongside basic rights like life, liberty, and political participation.

Question for Chapter Notes: Rights
Try yourself:
Which type of rights primarily focus on individual well-being by ensuring government accountability and allowing influence over government decisions?
View Solution

Rights and Responsibilities

  • Rights impose obligations not only on the state to act in certain ways, such as ensuring sustainable development, but also on individuals to contribute to the common good.
  • Individuals must act to protect common goods like the ozone layer, air and water quality, green cover, and ecological balance for current and future generations.
  • Exercising one’s own rights, such as freedom of expression, requires respecting others' rights. This means not interfering in others' choices and not using rights to harm others or incite violence.
  • Rights can come into conflict and must be balanced. For example, the right to freedom of expression must be balanced against the right to privacy.
  • Citizens must be alert to limitations on their rights, especially when governments impose restrictions for national security. Such restrictions must not become a threat to civil liberties.
  • It is crucial to assess whether restrictions imposed for security reasons are justified and whether they respect legal rights. Even those arrested should have access to legal counsel and the opportunity to present their case.
  • Be cautious of government powers that could undermine civil liberties and the well-being of individuals. Rights may not be absolute, but protecting them is essential for a democratic society.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations 

Question for Chapter Notes: Rights
Try yourself:
Which of the following statements is true about rights and responsibilities?
View Solution

Conclusion

Rights are not just abstract concepts; they are powerful tools that shape our interactions with the state and each other. They impose responsibilities on both individuals and governments to ensure a just and equitable society. By balancing personal freedoms with respect for others and remaining vigilant against encroachments on our liberties, we uphold the principles that underpin democracy and safeguard a future where rights continue to foster dignity, equality, and well-being for all.

The document Rights Class 11 Political Science is a part of the UPSC Course NCERT Video Summary: Class 6 to Class 12 (English).
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FAQs on Rights Class 11 Political Science

1. What are legal rights and how are they different from moral rights?
Ans. Legal rights are rights that are recognized and protected by law, while moral rights are based on ethical principles and personal beliefs. Legal rights are enforceable through the legal system, while moral rights are not necessarily enforceable in a court of law.
2. Where do rights come from according to the article?
Ans. According to the article, rights can come from various sources such as laws, constitutions, international treaties, and moral principles. Rights can also be derived from societal norms and customs.
3. How does the state play a role in protecting legal rights?
Ans. The state plays a crucial role in protecting legal rights by enacting and enforcing laws that recognize and safeguard these rights. The state also establishes institutions such as courts and law enforcement agencies to ensure that rights are upheld and protected.
4. What are some examples of different kinds of rights mentioned in the article?
Ans. Some examples of different kinds of rights mentioned in the article include civil rights, political rights, economic rights, social rights, and cultural rights. Each of these rights pertains to different aspects of human life and society.
5. How are rights and responsibilities interconnected?
Ans. Rights and responsibilities are interconnected in that while individuals have rights that are protected by law, they also have corresponding responsibilities to respect the rights of others. This balance between rights and responsibilities is essential for a harmonious and just society.
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