World poverty: Rights, obligations, institutions, motivations

Abstract

A common criticism of international human rights declarations is that they lack an adequate account of the corresponding obligations. This criticism is often thought to be particularly apt when applied to economic and social rights. International human rights law imposes these obligations on states, but critics object that this treats the problem (state behavior) as the solution. This article examines the question of the obligations corresponding to economic and social rights in the context of debates about world poverty. It argues that the legal and philosophical emphasis on obligations must be supplemented by an understanding of both institutions and motivations if practical progress to eradicate world poverty is to be made.