Henry Shue’s Account of Basic Rights

Shue’s Account of Basic Rights
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Shue’s Account of Basic Rights
1 Introduction
Since the development of this world, various national and international platforms have been working vigilantly to propagate basic human rights. Shue’s account of fundamental rights is a highly influential philosophical exploration of human rights’ moral and political dimensions. Henry Shue was an American political scientist who penned down the essential elements of a rights-based approach to social and political life. Shue argues that society must recognize certain rights for all citizens to be just and equitable. The writer believes that those depressed and devastated due to wars must be helped and provided aid for their protection. He further explains how such rights should be protected, promoted, and enforced to secure the fundamental interests of individuals and communities (Kiper 2011: P 2). This essay will analyze Shue’s account of basic rights and their implications for justice, morality, and citizen autonomy.
2 Discussion and Analysis
Basic rights are fundamental rights and are necessary for the protection of individuals to lead a life of dignity, autonomy, and freedom. The concept of fundamental rights first emerged during the Enlightenment period in the European context. According to philosopher Henry Shue, fundamental rights refer to the rights necessary to ensure the human experience is just and fair. Henry Shue has provided an influential account of fundamental rights which incorporate the rights of protection from serious harm, the right to necessities of life, and freedom from coercion. The rights of autonomy, to influence public policy decisions, to participate in the political process, to secure employment, to get an education, to have Henry Shue also discusses clean air and water. According to Shue, these are the fundamental rights necessary to ensure that human beings can lead a life of dignity and freedom.
Shue’s account of fundamental rights is highly relevant in the modern world as it provides a basis for understanding the pertinence of safeguarding prominent human rights. Comprehending fundamental human rights is essential to ensure the dignity and freedom of individuals to live their lives in standard ways. The framework developed by the philosopher is one of the practical tools to protect individuals’ rights and ensure their salvage. The duties referred to by the philosopher pose a responsibility to people with power and wealth to further their support to those with a dearth of resources and energy (Churchill 2011: P1). The temptation and inducement of the safeguard of basic rights get consolidated by the information, and knowledge one attains through the fundamental rights explanation compiled by Shue.
The professor claimed that the pursuit of the struggle to attain a healthy lifestyle is the right of everyone. The writer initiated positive requests to safeguard humanity and encourage people to fight for their rights. His views favour the fact that society lies in the struggle for acknowledgement of the rights and duties of each other. The right to protection from serious harm is a necessary fundamental right, including the right to be free from physical, psychological, and moral damage. This right also includes the right to privacy and protection from exploitation. Every person must be able to move freely and secure his data. No other person has the right to damage the privacy or question the security of another person. The right to the necessities of life is a pertinent fundamental right that addresses the need to access adequate food, housing, healthcare, clothing, and education (Gilabert 2012: P4). Primarily, every government’s responsibility is to provide their citizens with good health, food, and accommodations facilities. In case of failure to meet people’s fundamental rights, other persons with possible health and food sources must forward their support to the needy.
Negative rights furthered by Shue do not mean they prevail negative emotions or induce people’s negative sentiments. The philosopher developed negative rights intended to protect people from harmful or growth-affecting activities like coercion. No person must be free to use force on any other person. Everyone is free to move around and must stay without fear of being hurt. The right to freedom from coercion is a unique fundamental privilege that secures people from physical, psychological, and moral pressure while ensuring their independence. This right is necessary to ensure that individuals are free from force or manipulation to achieve their goals (Shue 2020: P28). People must use their mental capacity and enhance their skills in attaining some set goals instead of using unfair means or influence to manipulate other factors for their personal needs.
The right of autonomy gives a person the privilege of having freedom and free will to decide matters of his life. No person can induce or influence any other person to manipulate or change their personal decisions. Every person must stand to secure their rights instead of depending on others to fight for them. Everyone has the right to make decisions about one’s life without interference from othe...