From concept to conceptions: Can the Broad View overcome the debate between orthodox and political theories of human rights?

Abstract

In Humanity without Dignity, Sangiovanni offers an interesting new approach to human rights theory called the “Broad View” (BV) of human rights. The BV involves an innovative attempt to overcome the debate between orthodox and political theories of human rights. While orthodox and political theories each capture certain roles or functions that human rights have in practice, it remains unclear how to reconcile some of their differences. The BV seeks to resolve this debate by drawing a distinction between the concept and particular conceptions of human rights. It offers a general concept of human rights, and then allows for both orthodox and political conceptions of this concept. The aim is to show that neither orthodox nor political theories make a conceptual mistake about human rights, while also accommodating their recognition of the various roles or functions human rights have in practice. This article assesses the success of the BV in resolving the debate, suggesting that several types of indeterminacy bring into question whether it has accomplished this aim.