Leiden University Student Repository

McNicholas, Frederick (2015)

To what extent do members of minority cultures in liberal states require extra protection, and if so what format should it take?

Master thesis | Philosophy (MA) (60 EC)

This paper looks at whether something more than the system of individual rights is required to uphold justice for the members of immigrant minority groups in liberal democracies and states. Chapter 1 of the paper looks at whether group membership in general provides value for individuals, because if it does not then there is no need for extra protection, as it is not desirable. On the basis that groups and group membership is valuable in some way, chapter 2 examines whether any extra protection is required, and if so what forms it could exist in. The overall argument of the paper is that while group membership is on the whole valuable for individuals, no extra system of group rights is required to ensure that justice is upheld for the members of minority groups. Groups cannot make claims as separate entities, as the only entitlements they are able to claim are on behalf of their individual members. The existing system of individual rights and universal standards of justice is...Show moreThis paper looks at whether something more than the system of individual rights is required to uphold justice for the members of immigrant minority groups in liberal democracies and states. Chapter 1 of the paper looks at whether group membership in general provides value for individuals, because if it does not then there is no need for extra protection, as it is not desirable. On the basis that groups and group membership is valuable in some way, chapter 2 examines whether any extra protection is required, and if so what forms it could exist in. The overall argument of the paper is that while group membership is on the whole valuable for individuals, no extra system of group rights is required to ensure that justice is upheld for the members of minority groups. Groups cannot make claims as separate entities, as the only entitlements they are able to claim are on behalf of their individual members. The existing system of individual rights and universal standards of justice is sufficient as it stands.Show less

Liberalism

Democracy

Rights

Minority

Groups

Author

McNicholas, Frederick

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Newey, G.F.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en