Traditions of Equality and Economic and Social Rights

Craven, Matthew

Abstract

This chapter covers the correlation between the notion of equality and the realisation of economic, social, and cultural rights. It elaborates on the concept of equaliberty as proposed by Etienne Balibar. The demand for freedom always goes hand in hand with the calls for equality. According to Balibar, the conflation of human rights with civil rights by referencing equality allowed the avoidance of the natural rights argument. Balibar argues that in the French Declaration, the idea of equality was allowed to operate as a substitute for human nature than merely an affirmation. The chapter examines the two traditions of equality (non-discrimination and substantive equality) in an effort to evaluate the legitimacy of social arrangements.

Citation

Craven, M. (2023). Traditions of Equality and Economic and Social Rights. In M. Langford, & K. Young (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Economic and Social Rights (C62S1-C62N116). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197550021.013.62

• Publication Date: Mar 22, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 23, 2025
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Pages: C62S1-C62N116
• Book Title: Oxford Handbook of Economic and Social Rights
• ISBN: 9780197550021
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197550021.013.62
• Keywords: equality, economic rights, social rights, cultural rights, equaliberty, Etienne Balibars, freedom, French Declaration, social arrangements, natural rights
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/44323/chapter-abstract/399209924