Date Written: 12/15/2022
Assignment: Write 250 words on this topic: “Is the state the source of human rights?”
A fundamental question that must be answered, when it comes to government, is: who is the source of human rights? There are two possible answers to this question, either the Creator or the state. Whoever is the source of human rights is the sovereign authority in the world.
The Source of Our Rights
Throughout most of history humans believed that the state was the sovereign being. Numerous wars were fought over which form of authoritarianism should be sovereign over man. This was the common belief of most people until the American Revolution, where a new idea was formed. In a fraction of a sentence in the Declaration of Independence the Americans asserted their new idea, and it was this: “that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thus the Americans asserted the idea that the creator is sovereign not the state. This idea is what made it possible for America to become one of the most prosperous nations on Earth because both economic and private freedom stem from this idea. If you want to see some of the benefits of a free-market system click here.
It can also be said that the state has no spiritual authority to grant human rights in the first place. The state is made up of the same imperfect men as the rest of us. When someone is elected to office it doesn’t make them smarter, wiser, or clairvoyant in the ways of the universe. They are the same as you and me. So why should these ordinary men have the power to grant us our rights? The only being with this kind of power is the Creator. He alone is the grantor of our rights.
The Consequences
The fact is, the being that is the source of our rights can limit, destroy, pervert, or do anything they want to them. So, if the state is seen as the source of human rights they can do as they please with them. Our rights of life, liberty, and property are a key factor in limiting the state. Without them it will inevitably lead to our rights being taken away and the state taking total control over our lives. Which will also bring the standard of living down like it has in every socialist society.
When people believe that the Creator is the source of human rights their rights cannot be trampled upon by the state. In this situation, the state is not sovereign, so it must respect our rights. This allows for a free society, which makes for a prosperous society. Sadly, many people today are abandoning this idea, so we continue to fall deeper down the hole of socialism.
Another well written essay Nathan!