Oxford politics essay - Outline the meaning of the concept of rights, and explain why it is central to the theory and practice of politics (no more than 500 words)
Over the past century, there has been noteworthy advancement in the realm of human rights. Although the perception of these rights varies across different parts of the world, in the UK they are considered to be essential rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to from the moment they are born until they pass away, as stated by the Equality Human Rights Commission (2019). The Human Rights Act (1998) protects these fundamental rights to citizens, providing the coverage of all of the convention rights. Most importantly, these rights provide a necessary basis for the state of democracy in a country. The actual definition of democracy is one “that allows the citizens to participate in political decision making” (Oxford Reference, 2023), holistically focusing on the HMRA. As an example, Article 10 entitles everyone to ‐ freedom of expression, “freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers” (HMRA, 1998), ensuring equality in speech within the country. This, like the other acts, provides societal rights protecting people from discrimination on all levels (gender, ethnicity, age etc.).
Prior to 1918, women were not granted the right to vote. However, with the passing of the Representation of the People Act (1918), a significant milestone was reached in the ongoing struggle for women's suffrage, as it marked the end of the main suffrage period for women and paved the way toward greater legal equality. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) is renowned for her leadership of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK. The WSPU was a prominent suffrage group that aimed to secure voting rights for women.
Pankhurst played a crucial role in achieving their objectives, which included acts of civil disobedience like hunger strikes. Her legacy continues to inspire and inform movements for gender equality around the world, especially in terms of rights.
The philosopher Hobbes posited that human beings were capable of living together harmoniously in a functional society by adhering to a
"natural law" based on human nature, which provided the fundamental reasons for action. Hobbes acknowledged the diverse personalities of individuals and championed the concept of freedom, as he believed that humans were more than mere creations of God. The theme of freedom remains a central focus of his theories. As per the definition of rights, each individual is entitled to certain freedoms and entitlements. Thomas Hobbes lends his support to this notion, albeit with his own specific stipulations.
List of references
Equality Human Rights Commission (2019). What are human rights? | EHRC. [online] Available at:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/what-are-human-rights.
democracy. Oxford Reference. (Retrieved 6 Nov. 2023) [online] Available at:
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095709688.
Legislation.gov.uk (1998). Human Rights Act 1998. [online] Legislation.gov.uk. Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/schedule/1.
Cooper, K.W. (2022). Thomas Hobbes And The Natural Law. S.L.: Univ Of Notre Dame Press.
human rights. Oxford Reference. (Retrieved 6 Nov. 2023) [online] Available at:
https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20111017145237700.
UK Parliament (2010). Start of the suffragette movement. [online] UK Parliament. Available at: https://www.parliament.uk/about/living- heritage/transformingsociety/electionsvoting/womenvote/overview/startsuffragette-/.