Core idea
Rights protect important interests and enable people to act as persons and citizens. Rights can be moral or legally recognised; they create claims and responsibilities for institutions and others. Rights may need reasonable limits to reconcile competing claims, and their protection depends on remedies and enforcement.
Key terms
claim; entitlement; legal right; human right; remedy
How to build an answer
Define the concept, state the principle or argument, apply it to a concrete example and consider a limitation or competing claim. Use examples to clarify the concept, not to replace reasoning.
Practice
- Explain how a right can impose a duty on a public institution.
- Give a real or hypothetical example that illustrates the concept.
- State one reasonable objection or limitation and explain how you would respond.