IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united
States of America
When in the Course of human events it
becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another and to assume
among the powers of the earth, the separate
and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a
decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes
which impel them to the separation.
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united
States of America
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
— That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed,
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united
States of America
— That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the Right of the People to alter
or to abolish it, and to institute new
Government, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness.
What does living in a democracy
provide that is most important to you?
life without fear
safety – human rights protections
freedom of speech
say in the government
voting
freedom to protest
freedom to make choices
equality
Why do we have laws?
to secure our rights
past rights
Used to be considered special
privileges, enjoyed by certain groups of
people
hierarchical
no equality between groups or classes
role in society defined by group born into
Natural rights opposite
station in life should not determine rights
“Every life has equal value.”
–Bill and Melinda Gates
The Ideas of John Locke
1632-1704
People are born
with Natural
Rights
Life – survive; be
free from threats
to security (civil/
political rights)
Liberty – make
own decisions;
live as you please
(civil/ political rights)
Property –
freedom to work
and gain
economic goods
such as land,
houses, tools, $
which are
necessary for
survival (economic
rights)
The Ideas of John Locke
We have these
rights simply
because we are
human; given by
God
inalienable – can’t
be taken away
Social Contract
Government only
exists because the
people choose it to
exist.
The people choose
to be governed,
and therefore have
the power in a
society.
If gov’t is not
working, get rid of
it.
What are human rights?
definition: freedoms and protections to
which all humans are entitled.
“Human rights are those rights which are
essential for us to live as human beings.
Without human rights, we cannot fully develop
ourselves and use our human qualities, our
intelligence, our talent and our spirituality.”
-United Nations
Why do we have a Bill of Rights?
ppl feared a federal gov’t that would
violate citizens’ right
quiet fears of a powerful central
government
vagueness of some powers could be
used for unlimited power (necessary
and proper)
rights not enumerated could be
violated
around the world
On December 10, 1948 the General
Assembly of the United Nations
adopted and proclaimed the
Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
This set a common standard on
human rights for all nations.
poverty
“A few generations ago, almost
everybody was poor. The Industrial
Revolution led to new riches, but
much of the world was left behind.”
-Jeffery Sachs
Nearly half of the 6 billion people in
the world are poor.
Three Degrees of Poverty
extreme poverty: an income of less than $1 a
day; means households cannot meet basic
needs for survival.
chronically hungry
unable to get healthcare
lack of safe drinking water and sanitation
cannot afford education for their children
lack of adequate shelter and clothing
This is the poverty that kills
only exists in developing nations
Three Degrees of Poverty
moderate poverty: living on $1-2 a day.
Basic needs are met, but just barely.
relative poverty: the household income is
below a given proportion of the national
average; lacking things that the
middleclass take for granted.
poverty and human rights
“…much of the one-sixth of humanity in
extreme poverty suffers the ravages of
AIDS, drought, isolation and civil wars,
and is there by trapped in a vicious cycle
of deprivation and death.” -Jeffrey Sachs
Currently more than 8 million people
around the world die each year because
they are too poor to survive. -Jeffery Sachs
“Not only does a lack of peace often
lead to poverty, it is as well one of
poverty’s symptoms.”
-The Carter Center