- 1. In her compelling work 'Rights Talk,' Mary Ann Glendon explores the intricate interplay between the concept of rights and the practice of democracy, emphasizing the cultural and historical contexts that shape our understanding of individual rights. Glendon critiques the modern tendency to prioritize a universalized notion of rights while disregarding the community-based traditions that have long informed the concept of justice and moral responsibility. Through her careful analysis, she highlights the importance of dialogue and the necessity of grounding rights in societal values, urging us to look beyond a purely individualistic framework. By drawing upon examples from various legal traditions and the philosophical underpinnings of rights discourse, Glendon encourages a more nuanced approach to rights that seeks to balance personal freedoms with communal obligations, ultimately advocating for a more holistic view of human dignity that recognizes the interconnectedness of individuals within their social contexts.
What is the primary subject of Mary Ann Glendon's critique in 'Rights Talk'?
A) The history of human rights in Europe
B) The lack of constitutional rights in the United States
C) The excessive individualism in American rights discourse
D) The economic cost of enforcing civil rights
- 2. What does Glendon argue is neglected in the American 'rights talk'?
A) Property rights
B) Freedom of speech
C) Social responsibilities and civic virtues
D) Judicial review
- 3. Glendon suggests that the absolutist quality of American rights talk makes it difficult to do what?
A) Amend the Constitution
B) Balance competing rights and interests
C) Elect political leaders
D) Conduct international diplomacy
- 4. What is a key characteristic Glendon attributes to the European approach to rights?
A) Focus on absolute individual liberty
B) Reliance on judicial supremacy
C) Rejection of social welfare rights
D) Emphasis on duties and community
- 5. Glendon is critical of the tendency to frame all desires and needs as what?
A) Privileges
B) Luxuries
C) Rights
D) Responsibilities
- 6. What does Glendon believe is a consequence of the 'lonely rights-bearer' mentality?
A) Stronger family units
B) Erosion of social bonds
C) Greater economic equality
D) Increased voter turnout
- 7. What historical document does Glendon point to as having a richer language of responsibility than the U.S. Bill of Rights?
A) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
B) The Magna Carta
C) The Code of Hammurabi
D) The French Declaration of the Rights of Man
- 8. What does Glendon propose as an alternative or supplement to the current rights talk?
A) A purely economic language of cost-benefit
B) A focus on international law
C) A language of responsibility and community
D) A return to religious doctrine
- 9. Glendon's work is best described as a critique from which perspective?
A) Libertarian
B) Postmodernist
C) Communitarian
D) Marxist
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