How to Balance Human Rights and Democracy

In Human Rights and Their Limits (Cambridge University Press), Wiktor Osiatyński examines how the concept of human rights has developed in waves: each call for rights serves the purpose of social groups that try to stop further proliferation of rights after their own goals are reached.

Although a state of unlimited democracy threatens rights, excessive rights can limit resources indispensable for democracy. Human Rights and Their Limits argues that although rights are a prerequisite of freedom, they should be balanced with other values that are indispensable for social harmony and personal happiness.

Above, hear Osiatyński speak on the subject at a recent lecture.