In depth analysis about article - Essay Example

The Right Not to Be Hungry An in depth Analysis The purpose of this paper is to introduce the different rights of en ments; and explain their meaning in terms of empirical or moral values. The dysfunction of these rights is one of the principle reasons of hunger, starvation and famine in the world. The claim of the right to property must take into account economic, social and moral analysis. The intrinsic valuable rights (ownership) are used in political and social arguments. Inherent rights are referred to as background rights.

(Dworkins) The right to an adequate means of livelihood in the Indian constitution and the right not to be hungry are natural rights (Betham) or highly subjective. Moral Rights can be divided into three categories. The "instrumental view" implies that the right is important for the accomplishment of the deed but if it is not fulfilled, there is no moral issue. The "constraint view" obliges that the right be fulfilled without taking into account moral issues. Gasoline has to be purchased by the end user at the price it is being sold.

The "goal view" differs as it is intrinsically important but it is not required. It is considered essential if the goal is to be completed, taking into account the infringement of other peoples fulfillment of their personal rights. The goal view encompasses moral accounting. Dual roles of rights exist where some rights may be intrinsically important and instrumentally valuable: the right to be free from hunger, the right to work. These imply the duality of the instrumental and goal view. The intrinsic value of a right is subjective and can be considered positive or negative.

All moral assessments of a right must include the political, social and moral acceptation and consequences. Starvation is in relation to the structuring of property rights. In simplistic terms, the right to property is the right to food. Henry George said "Give the product to the producer". The Neoclassical theory does not take into account casual influences. The classical labor theory ignores internal conflicts; and the socio/psychological theory does not take into account the level of production.

Starvation must take into account a system of encompassing all property right theories which encompasses also the positive and negative intrinsic moral values. One of the principle causes of famine is the lack of a legal system of property rights or entitlements. The entitlement approach is the "endowment" which includes man power, fields, factories, labor, etc.; and exchange entitlement mapping of production or trade (production and distribution channels). If the system does not produce enough food or the distribution of food is poorly managed famines occurs.

To prevent famine, entitlements must be increased guaranteeing a minimum for the population. There must be economic growth and distribution adjustments. Instrumental approach takes from the rich. The transfer of income and food or the means of production requires government intervention. Moral approach entitlement would prevent use of this approach claiming mans right to own property. Constraint based entitlement would take into account the consequences thus value and devalue the right of property.

The right to property is the right to food, resources, acquisition and transfer; thus the right to hunger and starvation. The right not to be hungry is difficult to determined in our social political structures as they exists today. It is a moral right which is difficult to be put into force. The Indian Constitution uses the word "guarantees an adequate means…..", rather than "a guaranteed right…". This implicit moral connotation of the right not to be hungry has possibly made a difference in social policy.

Indias last famine was in 1947. Government used the intrinsic moral right and intervened by offering minimum entitlement. The right not to be hungry has not been accepted in Indias government policy. It is not a priority of Indias social values. Value does not mean acceptance. Combining the appropriate rights with careful analysis leads to moral acceptance. Consequences must take into account as shown in the analysis of entitlements and hunger. The right not to be hungry and claims to property rights must take into account cause and effect in addition to economic issues.

Our world of hunger and wealth encompasses all entitlement rights and moral issues.