S1.3 - Negotiating tensions

S1.3 - Negotiating tensions

Author: Global Campus of Human Rights March 21, 2022 Duration: 45:43

Are human rights an unrealistic luxury?

Pragmatically-oriented expressions of human rights scepticism do not take issue with the concept of human rights as such. Rather, they question the relevance and efficacy of human rights in particular settings. They may acknowledge that human rights express a noble ideal to which one can aspire, but in current circumstances it is a luxury that society cannot afford.

This argument is based on the implicit premise that compliance with human rights inevitably happens at the expense of other societal objectives, notably economic progress and national security and stability, and conversely, that the prioritisation of such objectives sometimes necessitates a disregard for human rights.

An obvious response is to seek to demonstrate that the given societal objectives can be realised in a human rights compliant fashion. However, in order to be convincing, this needs to be demonstrated in concrete terms in the actual situations that people inhabit. The devil here lies in the detail: How to constructively negotiate such tensions?


Produced by the Global Campus of Human Rights, To the Righthouse is a podcast that navigates the complex and often turbulent waters where human rights meet the real world. The title itself is a guiding metaphor: just as a lighthouse warns ships of perilous coasts, this series aims to illuminate the risks and challenges facing fundamental freedoms today, while also pointing toward potential harbours of safer, more robust protection. Each episode grapples with the persistent gap between lofty ideals and ground-level realities, exploring that difficult space where theory confronts practice. You’ll hear from a range of voices-academics, advocates, and those directly affected-who bring multiple perspectives to these urgent discussions. The conversations aren't about easy answers; they delve into the nuanced, sometimes contentious work of seeking stability and just solutions in an unstable world. This isn't a lecture series, but a thoughtful exploration for anyone curious about the forces shaping dignity and justice globally. Tune in for a podcast that serves as both a beacon of critical thought and a forum for genuine, enlightening dialogue on the social scientific dimensions of our rights.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 28

To the Righthouse
Podcast Episodes
S2.3 - To hope for the human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
The power of telling a human story In conversation with Andrew Leon Hanna We want to continue our journey to better understand what it means to hope for the human, and to do so we will talk about the power of telling a h…
S2.2 - To hope for the better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
The need to stress achievements (big and small) In conversation with Mary Lawlor In the face of the current backlash against human rights, we want to reflect on how to hope for the better and what we can learn from the n…
S2.1 - To hope or not to hope? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
The importance of positive human rights narratives In conversation with George Ulrich In the first GC Podcast Series, we widely explained why talking with human rights sceptics is not only relevant but also conducive to…
S1.5 - Unicorns, utopia and mockery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:53
Are human rights real? How do they exist? Ontological scepticism questions the very being of universal human rights. In its most explicit form, it asserts that human rights do not exist. As famously stated by the British…
S1.4 - Rhetoric, Rupture and Rights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:17
Are human rights politically neutral? Does proliferation of human rights water down the very concept? Expressions of political scepticism about human rights may involve an assessment both of how human rights claims feed…
S1.2 - In small places close to home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:01
Whose values? Whose experience? Are human rights inclusive? Value-based objections to human rights are commonly stated with reference to culture and/or religion. They may further be linked with a claim that human rights…
S1.1 - Clearly unclear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:05
Human Rights under pressure: when, why and how to engage with sceptics? In the current era of rising illiberalism and backlash against hard won human rights standards, there is a pressing need to stand firm, hold governm…