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Rights are fundamental entitlements that individuals or groups possess, enabling them to live with dignity, freedom, and equality. In NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 5: Political Theory: Rights, students explore the concept of rights, their importance, types, and the limitations they impose on state authority. These solutions to the chapter’s exercises are designed to provide clear, concise explanations, helping students understand the role of rights in political theory and their application in real-world contexts.
Explore Notes of Class 11 Political Theory
Exercises for Political Theory: Rights
Check out the NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 5 Political Theory: Rights Solutions below-
1. What are rights and why are they important? What are the bases on which claims to rights can be made?
Solution:
Rights are entitlements or justifiable claims that individuals or groups have to certain freedoms, protections, or benefits, recognized by society or law. They ensure dignity, equality, and freedom, allowing individuals to pursue their goals and live securely. Rights are important because they protect individuals from injustice, promote fairness, and limit arbitrary state power. They also foster social harmony by balancing individual and collective interests.
Claims to rights can be made on the following bases:
- Natural Law: Rights are inherent to human beings by virtue of their existence, e.g., the right to life.
- Legal Recognition: Rights granted by laws or constitutions, e.g., the right to vote.
- Moral Grounds: Rights based on ethical principles, e.g., the right to equality.
- Social Needs: Rights addressing societal demands, e.g., the right to education for societal progress.
2. On what grounds are some rights considered to be universal in nature? Identify three rights which you consider universal. Give reasons.
Solution:
Some rights are considered universal because they are essential for human dignity and survival, transcending cultural, national, or social boundaries. They are grounded in the idea of shared humanity and are often recognized in international declarations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Three universal rights:
- Right to Life: Essential for existence; without it, no other right can be exercised. It is universally recognized as fundamental.
- Right to Freedom of Expression: Allows individuals to express ideas and beliefs, fostering personal and societal growth. It is crucial for democratic societies globally.
- Right to Equality: Ensures fair treatment and non-discrimination, promoting justice across all human societies.
These rights are universal because they address basic human needs and are upheld in global human rights frameworks.
3. Discuss briefly some of the new rights claims which are being put forward in our country today — for example the rights of tribal peoples to protect their habitat and way of life, or the rights of children against bonded labour.
Solution:
In India, new rights claims have emerged to address specific social and environmental challenges:
- Rights of Tribal Peoples: Tribal communities demand rights to protect their habitat, culture, and way of life. For example, the Forest Rights Act (2006) recognizes their right to forest land and resources, safeguarding their traditional practices against displacement due to development projects.
- Rights of Children Against Bonded Labour: Children are entitled to protection from exploitation, including bonded labour. Laws like the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act aim to eliminate child labour, ensuring access to education and a safe childhood.
- Right to a Clean Environment: Increasingly, citizens are claiming the right to a pollution-free environment, pushing for sustainable development and protection against environmental degradation.
These claims reflect evolving societal needs and aim to ensure justice and dignity for marginalized groups.
4. Differentiate between political, economic, and cultural rights. Give examples of each kind of right.
Solution:
- Political Rights: These enable participation in governance and decision-making. They include freedoms essential for democratic functioning.
- Example: Right to vote, right to freedom of speech.
- Economic Rights: These ensure access to resources and opportunities for a decent standard of living. They address material needs and economic security.
- Example: Right to work, right to social security.
- Cultural Rights: These protect the ability to preserve and express one’s cultural identity, language, and traditions.
- Example: Right to practice one’s religion, right to use one’s language.
Each type of right contributes to a balanced framework for individual and societal well-being.
5. Rights place some limits on the authority of the state. Explain with examples.
Solution:
Rights act as checks on state power, preventing arbitrary actions and ensuring accountability. They define boundaries beyond which the state cannot interfere, protecting individual autonomy.
- Example 1: Right to Freedom of Speech: The state cannot censor opinions or punish individuals for criticizing the government, as seen in constitutional protections under Article 19(1)(a) in India, unless it falls under reasonable restrictions.
- Example 2: Right to Privacy: The state cannot intrude into personal matters, such as through unwarranted surveillance, as upheld in the 2017 Supreme Court ruling recognizing privacy as a fundamental right.
- Example 3: Right to Equality: The state must ensure non-discriminatory laws and policies, preventing biased actions against any group, as mandated by Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.
Rights thus ensure the state respects individual freedoms and acts within legal limits.
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