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rights

(20th century)

Theory of entitlement to benefit or possession.

Either because of natural law or divine or other moral principles, or as a result of actual practice often expressed in positive law, individuals and groups enjoy rights.

These are either actual and enforceable entitlements to control over their own persons and over material goods and services (a form of property), or claims to such entitlements.

Source:
David Miller et al., eds, The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought (1987)

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