INTRODUCTION TO CITIZENSHIP

Introduction to Citizenship



Introduction to Citizenship

Introduction

Human rights are paramount moral rights that are recognized in international law and practice. They are not necessarily the rights that we need for survival, but they are needed for a dignified life. Liberal theorists believe that human rights are the rights that an individual has simply because he or she is human, and, therefore, should be equally held by all human beings. These include the rights to life, liberty, secure possession of property and the exercise of freedom of speech. Since being human cannot be renounced, lost, or forfeited, human rights are unconditional (Alston, 2000, Pp.12). The liberals view is that the only acceptable reason for constraining the freedom of an individual would be to protect the rights of another person. In practice, not all people enjoy their rights equally. However, this does not mean that the rights are not entitled to them.

Human rights are asserted by those who feel that the rights they are entitled to are not being met, and, therefore, need to be claimed. For example, if one has food, then one is likely to enjoy food as a basic human need right. On the other hand, when discrimination based on sexual preference is considered, gay rights activists may claim a human right to non-discrimination. As a result, to assert one's human rights is an attempt to alter political structures and practices, so that those rights will be fulfilled according to the law and regulations. In the modern world, human rights are emerging as a political standard of legitimacy (Alston, 2000, Pp.12). Therefore, when citizens are regularly forced to defend their human rights against their government, the government is likely to be considered sanctioned by the international community.

Liberals believe that the primary function of government is to protect human rights and that political institutions are to be held accountable for their fulfilment of this duty. This creates the concept of a contract between the government and its citizens, whereby governments are responsible for protecting the liberties of citizens. This idea initially came about in Medieval Europe, with the issuance of the Magna Carta. Governments are, however, only responsible for the protection of their own citizens and others who are within in their territorial jurisdiction. Human rights are a political construct and legal practice that were originated by liberals In the West.

As for the rights of citizenship, it belongs only to the citizen who carries the nationality of a particular nation. These rights by the citizen may be inherent or acquired, and these rights of citizenship concern the equality of all citizens and equal opportunities for all citizens to participate in political and communal life, i.e. the two pillars of citizenship, equality and participation. At the same time, it follows citizenship rights and duties (Ashcroft, 2006, Pp.78). Rights and duties to the constitution without the personal rights of citizenship will be considered forced labour and slavery, not citizenship.The conventions of women and minorities are an essential part of the ...