This is a guest blog written by Dr Aristi Volou, Lecturer, Department of Law, Goldsmiths, University of London summarizing a paper on the relationship between democracy and economic and social rights in the UK.
This paper makes the case for the (legal or constitutional) recognition, justiciability and practical observance of economic and social rights in the UK (and beyond) on the ground that these rights are indispensable to an effective democracy, broadly and properly understood.
While the link between civil and political rights and democracy is, indeed, undeniable, an approach that only attaches civil and political rights to democracy promotes a narrow understanding of both human rights and democracy. This limited or narrow understanding is widespread and has effectively resulted in the marginalisation of economic and social rights and the choice of political leaders as the only means to participate in a democracy.
However, in its broader (and proper) understanding, democracy goes far beyond that: it empowers all equally to fully participate in all aspects of life and in society. From this perspective, simply guaranteeing civil and political rights is not adequate. Economic and social rights, and in particular the rights to an adequate standard of living, social security, health, work and education, which provide the conditions and means to act out life plans and to participate in the society become essential for an effective democracy. In the light of the lack of the formal recognition in law, judicial enforcement and practical observance of economic and social rights domestically in the UK, the UK’s alleged commitment to democracy is shaken to the core.
Dr Aristi Volou is a Lecturer in the Department of Law at Goldsmiths, University of London, as well as a member of the UK ESCR Network, which is a collective of organisations and individuals committed to the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights without discrimination in the UK.
Background image by Ermina Emmanouel for Fine Acts
