Summary Of The Work Rights Do By Laura Nielson

In her article, The Work of Rights and the Work Rights Do: a Critical Empirical Approach, Laura Nielson examines the role of human rights in society. Nielson acknowledges the complexity of human rights in action and the link between human rights and ideology. Although some disadvantages regarding the implementation of human rights are noted, ultimately Nielson concludes that human rights are beneficial long term (2004, pg.75). Taking this and Patricia Ewick’s Consciousness and Ideology into consideration, I argue that in practice the implementation of human rights is not flawless, and its role can sometimes be blurred through definitions and its relationship with ideology; however, human rights do create an essential base for social progress,
The realization that individuals do or should have rights, and the social progress that comes out of these individuals and groups taking action towards this realization can alter or create new ideologies in society. Ideologies are changed or created by individuals reassessing their current situation and realizing something they once believed is no longer justifiable enough to continue holding that idea. Human rights play an equal role in its relationship with ideology. In The Work of Rights and the Work Rights Do, Nielson claims that the functions of human rights cannot be understood without a formal sense of how individuals interact with, and particularly use, human rights (pg. 64). This complication of not fully knowing how individuals use human rights stems from the existence of different ideologies in different contexts in time, place, and actor. Ideologies differ around the world, and even within one country or community. Because ideology is not one set of ideas, people in society are going to interpret and use rights
Sometimes when implemented or argued, there are consequences. People disagree and retaliate against human rights claims which can sometimes cause harm. However, human rights do more good than bad long term. Human rights provide support and promotion for individuals and groups to pursue fairness and proper treatment for themselves and others. There may be variation to how much human rights motivate people in different contexts to pursue their rights, but rights are present in society in a way that allows people to highlight them and stand up against violators. Human rights spark motivation for social movements and change. They have potential to do all this, and alter or create ideologies through an integrated and complex process of interaction with society. Overall, human rights benefit the majority, if not everyone, to some extent and should continue to be