Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: The Development of Governments’ Views, 1941–88

Abstract

The subject of economic, social and cultural rights is a complex one though unfortunately oversimplifications in the discussion of it abound. This chapter traces the development and changes in governments’ thinking on the subject since President Roosevelt espoused freedom from fear and freedom from want as two of the four main human freedoms in his address to Congress in January 1941. It argues that representatives of the main protagonists in the debate (the First, Second and Third Worlds) can be seen in action as early as the 1940s. It suggests that the differences within each group have often been just as fierce as those between groups, and that each of the groups as well as the individual states within the groups, have been affected both by the debate and subsequently by the existence of the Human Rights Declaration (1948) and two Covenants on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Civil and Political Rights (which were opened for signature in 1966 and came into force in 1976). It will also note that all three instruments were designed to have worldwide significance and to cross ideological and cultural barriers. As a result there is a certain ideological neutrality and eclecticism about all three which enabled them to serve as a common focus for numerous states and individuals.²

1. The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.