عنوان

Conceptualising poverty in a human rights framework :

TLets251748

Conceptualising poverty in a human rights framework :

[Thesis]

Vizard, Polly.

foundational issues in ethics, economics and international law

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

2001

Ph.D.

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

2001

The international agenda on poverty, freedom and human rights has becomeincreasingly influential in recent years. Mrs. Mary Robinson, UN HighCommissioner for Human Rights, has stated that "Ip]overty itself is a violationof numerous basic human rights" (1997,6), while the UNDP's HumanDevelopment Report 2000 conveys the central message that poverty is a limit onindividual freedom, and that freedom from poverty should be addressed as abasic entitlement and a human right (UNDP, 2000). But what do people meanwhen they say that poverty is a denial or a violation of fundamental humanfreedoms and basic human rights? This Thesis addresses the need for a robusttheoretical framework for thinking about this question. Its aim is to expandbasic knowledge and understanding in the field of poverty and human rights bycontributing to interdisciplinary dialogue and conceptual development. TheThesis is cross-disciplinary in scope and bridges the perspectives of ethics,economics and international law. It establishes the basis of international legalobligation in the field of poverty and human rights; considers the nature andscope of relevant debates in ethics and political theory; and analyses thesignificance of Professor Amartya Sen's research agenda in ethics and economicsfor both conceptual and formal thinking about poverty, fundamental freedomsand basic human rights. The use of deontic logic to capture and formalisestatements about poverty, freedom and human rights is assessed. The Thesisconcludes with a proposal for a rights-based extension of Sen's capabilityapproach based on authoritative international standards in the field of povertyand human rights. This proposal is mapped out both as a means of integratingthe different disciplinary perspectives and as a suggestion for future research.

Freedom

Vizard, Polly.

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y