Principles and Heresies

Rights and “Rights”

One of the most unpleasant aspects of the political scene in these Liberal decades is the mixture of whine and threat with which politicians, social workers, trade-union leaders, and leaders of so-called minorities insistently demand that the state decree and enforce special privileges for all and sundry. Worse, the privileges demanded—material security from the cradle to the grave, equal economic treatment despite differences of ability, equal education irrespective of ability and at the taxpayers’ expense—are dubbed “rights.” Thus a concept vital to the existence of a free society, the concept of the unalienable rights of men to life, liberty and property, is brought into disrepute.

FS

About the Author

Frank S. Meyer

Frank S. Meyer was a senior editor of National Review.

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Rights and “Rights”

One of the most unpleasant aspects of the political scene in these Liberal decades is the mixture of whine and threat with which politicians, social workers, trade-union leaders, and leaders of so-called minorities insistently demand that the state decree and enforce special privileges for all and sundry. Worse, the privileges demanded—material security from the cradle to the grave, equal economic treatment despite differences of ability, equal education irrespective of ability and at the taxpayers’ expense—are dubbed “rights.” Thus a concept vital to the existence of a free society, the concept of the unalienable rights of men to life, liberty and property, is brought into disrepute.