The Historical Development of the Concept of Rights

Abstract

Chapter 1 provides a critical perspective on the historical development of concepts of human rights. It interrogates the concept of universal human rights, the processes that led to their development and the factors which influence both the development and implementation of international human rights mechanisms. It recognises the contribution of philosophical ideas about humanity, equality, democracy, social justice, etc., as well as the impact of human ‘agency’. It argues that such developments do not take place in a vacuum. Social, economic, ideological, cultural, geo-political considerations and the power to do something about them, all ensure that universal human rights are a contested site both at macro-level in their conceptualisation and the development international human rights oversight mechanisms, but also at micro-level when it comes to the enforceability and realisability of rights on the ground.