Rights – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

Chapter overview

A right is a justified claim of a person that is recognised by society and protected by law. Rights are needed for people to live with dignity and develop their capacities. Theories of natural rights and human rights explain where rights come from, and modern constitutions protect political, economic and cultural rights. Rights come with responsibilities towards others.

Meaning and sources of rights

• A right is an entitlement or justified claim; not every want is a right, only claims necessary for a life of dignity that society recognises.
• Natural rights theory (John Locke) held that people have rights to life, liberty and property by nature, not given by any ruler.
• Human rights are rights all people have by virtue of being human; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948.
• Legal rights are rights recognised by law and enforced by the state, often listed in a bill of rights.

Kinds of rights

• Political rights: right to vote, contest elections, form parties and express opinions.
• Economic rights: rights to work, fair wages and basic needs that allow people to participate meaningfully in society.
• Cultural rights: rights to one's language, culture and education in one's mother tongue.

Rights and responsibilities

• Rights place obligations on the state to protect them and on others not to violate them.
• We must respect the rights of others, balance conflicting rights and be vigilant against unjust restrictions on rights.
• Some rights may be limited for security or public order, but such limits must be reasonable and justified.

Key terms

Right

a justified claim recognised by society and protected by law

Natural rights

rights believed to belong to people by nature, such as life, liberty and property

Human rights

rights that all human beings have simply because they are human

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

the UN document of 1948 listing basic human rights

Legal rights

rights recognised and enforced by law

Important questions with answers

Quick revision

• Right = justified, recognised claim.
• Natural rights (Locke): life, liberty, property.
• UDHR 1948; legal rights.
• Political, economic, cultural rights; responsibilities.

Exam tips

• Remember: UDHR adopted on 10 December 1948, observed as Human Rights Day.
• Give one example each of political, economic and cultural rights.

Practice MCQs

1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in

   1. 1945
   2. 1948
   3. 1950
   4. 1966
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) 1948. Human Rights Day is 10 December.

2. The right to vote is a

   1. cultural right
   2. economic right
   3. political right
   4. natural duty
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) political right. It allows participation in government.

3. Rights recognised and enforced by law are

   1. moral claims
   2. legal rights
   3. duties
   4. privileges
   Show answer

   Answer: (b) legal rights. The state protects them.

4. Which thinker argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty and property

   1. Karl Marx
   2. Kautilya
   3. Machiavelli
   4. John Locke
   Show answer

   Answer: (d) John Locke. He is a liberal thinker.

5. The right to education in one's mother tongue is a

   1. cultural right
   2. political right
   3. economic right
   4. military right
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) cultural right. It protects language and culture.

6. Which of these is NOT a right

   1. a mere personal desire such as wanting an expensive phone
   2. a claim necessary for dignity
   3. freedom of speech
   4. right to education
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) a mere personal desire such as wanting an expensive phone. Not every want is a right.

7. Rights impose obligations on

   1. the state to protect them and others to respect them
   2. no one
   3. only the individual
   4. only courts
   Show answer

   Answer: (a) the state to protect them and others to respect them. Rights and duties go together.

8. Why are economic rights considered important for political rights

   1. they replace voting
   2. they abolish elections
   3. people struggling to survive cannot participate meaningfully in politics
   4. they are not related
   Show answer

   Answer: (c) people struggling to survive cannot participate meaningfully in politics. Basic needs enable participation.