Civil-Political Rights or Social Economic Rights for Africa?: A Comparative Ethical Critique of a False Dichotomy
A key aspect of the human rights debate in Africa has centered on the kinds of rights that are appropriate for the continent. This essay examines the controversy between the advocates of civil-political rights and those of socio-economic rights, and the tendency to separate these two sets of values...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Society of Christian Ethics
1997
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In: |
The annual of the Society of Christian Ethics
Year: 1997, Volume: 17, Pages: 191-212 |
Online Access: |
Volltext (JSTOR) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | A key aspect of the human rights debate in Africa has centered on the kinds of rights that are appropriate for the continent. This essay examines the controversy between the advocates of civil-political rights and those of socio-economic rights, and the tendency to separate these two sets of values on the grounds of their supposed incompatibility and of Africa's unique realities. The essay contends that this conclusion is dangerous as it could be used as an excuse to ignore any human rights in Africa, a fear that is justified by the recent history of the continent. Drawing upon religious and ethical perspectives, it proposes the concept of interdependence to forge a normative unity between the two contested sets of rights and argues that this integral vision of rights is needed to ensure maximal realization of human and communal flourishings in Africa. |
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ISSN: | 2372-9023 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Society of Christian Ethics, The annual of the Society of Christian Ethics
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.5840/asce19971713 |