Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the jetpack domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131

Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the updraftplus domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131

Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the avia_framework domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/functions.php:6131) in /mnt/stor08-wc1-ord1/694335/916773/www.tvhe.co.nz/web/content/wp-includes/feed-rss2-comments.php on line 8
Comments on: What good is a right to life? http://www.tvhe.co.nz/2009/06/12/what-good-is-a-right-to-life/ The Visible Hand in Economics Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:42:07 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: John http://www.tvhe.co.nz/2009/06/12/what-good-is-a-right-to-life/#comment-20105 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:42:07 +0000 http://www.tvhe.co.nz/?p=3946#comment-20105 “Who violates that right when people die of starvation and malnutrition? It is hard to point to a person or institution responsible, but that doesn’t mean that the right doesn’t exist.”

As far as I can see the West is blamed, especially big multinational corporations, for manipulating economic conditions and hogging resources.Colonialism also gets the blame.

]]> By: Did you see the one about « Homepaddock http://www.tvhe.co.nz/2009/06/12/what-good-is-a-right-to-life/#comment-20099 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:53:41 +0000 http://www.tvhe.co.nz/?p=3946#comment-20099 […] What good is a right to life ? at The Visible Hand […]

]]> By: rauparaha http://www.tvhe.co.nz/2009/06/12/what-good-is-a-right-to-life/#comment-20071 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:12:21 +0000 http://www.tvhe.co.nz/?p=3946#comment-20071 @StephenR
I don’t think you need someone who is a violator to have a right. Many rights require significant resources to provide. Consider the right to a fair trial. It’s not possible with current resources to provide a jury trial every time someone is accused of an offence. The resources available limit the extent to which the right can be exercised, but I don’t think it makes the concept of the right useless.

I see unfettered human and civil rights as more of an aspirational ideal than a realistic goal 🙂

]]> By: StephenR http://www.tvhe.co.nz/2009/06/12/what-good-is-a-right-to-life/#comment-20068 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:51:09 +0000 http://www.tvhe.co.nz/?p=3946#comment-20068 Timely post, and I broadly agree. I’ve just gone from financially contributing to Amnesty International (‘boo torture!’ etc) to a little more than that. They (we?) have an upcoming ‘Dignity’ campaign which as part of it seems to focus on poverty being a violation of human rights, which I am a little uneasy about for the reason that Easterly outlines in your quote. However there is plenty to mitigate this so i’m unlikely to run away screaming.

So, I’d be interested to know what you don’t agree with in:

The only useful definition of human rights is one where a human rights crusader could identify WHOSE rights are being violated and WHO is the violator. …

?

]]>