Theory

Theory, Ideas, and Conceptual Frameworks; Abstract thinking, explanations, reasoning, theorizing, academic inquiry

Volunteerism, Inequity, and the Right and Responsibility of Work

HUQUQ Research Team Comments on Rights, Systems Thinking Framework Dignity, Privilege, Responsibility, Volunteerism, Work 0

Volunteerism is often celebrated as altruistic, yet in unequal contexts it can both exploit unpaid labor and deny vulnerable individuals opportunities for paid work. This article argues that while the right to work is fundamental to dignity, work must also be understood as a responsibility: to sustain oneself, provide for dependents, and fulfill the human condition of becoming. When volunteerism substitutes for employment, it privileges those who can labor without pay while excluding those for whom work is a necessity, thereby reinforcing inequity and obscuring the deeper meaning of work as both right and responsibility. Volunteerism is often portrayed as a moral good, a practice through which individuals freely contribute their time and energy to the betterment of society. Its civic appeal rests on ideals of generosity, solidarity, and shared responsibility. Yet the social and economic structures in which volunteerism is embedded complicate this narrative. In contexts of persistent inequality, volunteerism can become not merely an act of service but a reflection of privilege, and in some cases, a mechanism of exploitation. When organizations rely on volunteers, they often substitute unpaid contributions for positions that might otherwise provide employment. This reliance saves resources for institutions but carries a profound social cost: it normalizes the devaluation of work, particularly in domains such as caregiving, education, and community service, which are already historically undercompensated. The effect is twofold: the extraction of labor without wages from those who can afford to give it freely, and the exclusion of those who cannot afford […]

Applying the Principles of Systems Thinking Framework to Human Rights

HUQUQ Editors Comments on Rights, Systems Thinking Framework Change, Civil Rights, Dynamic Equilibrium, State Crime, Work 0

By Max Sorenson In an increasingly interconnected world, the challenges to human rights are rarely confined to single causes or isolated incidents. From systemic racism and mass displacement to entrenched economic inequality, these issues are shaped by complex networks of social, political, and institutional forces. Systems thinking offers a critical framework for understanding and addressing such challenges, emphasizing the importance of analyzing structures, patterns, and relationships rather than focusing solely on individual actions. By revealing how persistent injustices are generated and reinforced by broader systemic dynamics, systems thinking provides essential tools for designing more effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to human rights violations. In the context of human rights and their abuses, the systems thinking framework is a powerful lens for uncovering the underlying structures and relationships that give rise to injustice. Rather than focusing solely on isolated incidents or individual actors, systems thinking emphasizes the importance of understanding how events are embedded within broader, interconnected systems. This approach recognizes that every occurrence, whether a policy decision, social movement, or human rights violation, is the result of systemic interactions shaped by patterns, structures, and feedback mechanisms. Central to this framework are several guiding principles including: (1) interconnectedness of systems; (2) an understanding that all events, including objects, structures, and social happenings, are the product of systems; (3) the outcomes of systems cannot occur without work; (4) energy that enables systems to function originates from sources external to the system; (5) meaningful change happens through feedback loops to maintain a dynamic […]

A new paradigm for defining and promoting human rights

HUQUQ Research Team Systems Thinking Framework, History, Law, Medicine, Philosophy, Sociology Systems Thinking 0

by Ema Paskevicius Although the concept of human rights suggests that every individual is entitled to certain basic human rights, how exactly are they upheld in various circumstances? The answers to these questions are often proposed by researchers, scholars, and professionals in various academic disciplines and professional areas of expertise. In this research note, we will consider whether there is an academic discipline of “human rights”, the meaning of “human rights”, and how the systems thinking framework could potentially bridge the gap between the various definitions of human rights proposed by scholars in various disciplines to advance the aims of human rights. Academic disciplines and human rights Academic discipline can be best defined as a distinct branch of knowledge that bases its main ideas on a particular area of study. Academic disciplines help us organize the vast range of human knowledge into certain categories, such as humanities, social sciences, and scientific disciplines. Humanities focuses on the study of human culture, which can include subcategories such as language, philosophy, literature, and art. In terms of their applications to human rights standards, philosophers, for example, may analyze and theorize concepts underlying human rights such as justice and equality. They may ask abstract questions that surround their fundamental principles such as – What are the moral obligations to adequately uphold human rights? How do human rights differ from a universal versus a cultural perspective? Philosophers tend to work on a more theoretical level, where they explore political ideologies, ethical guidelines, and legal frameworks […]

Sovereignty and Human Rights

HUQUQ Research Team Introduction to Human Rights, Systems Thinking Framework Indigeneity, R2P, Sovereignty, Systems Thinking 0

Sovereignty is a fundamental concept in international relations and law, defining the authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. However, in the modern era, sovereignty is increasingly discussed in relation to human rights. This article explores the concept of sovereignty in the context of human rights and its significance in ensuring—or hindering—the protection of fundamental rights. Sovereignty refers to the right and power of a governing body to regulate its own affairs without outside interference. Traditionally, sovereignty has been understood in two primary ways: (1) The authority of a state to govern itself, make laws, and enforce policies within its borders, and (2) The recognition of a state’s independence and autonomy by other states and international organizations. Historically, sovereignty was considered absolute, meaning that states had the unrestricted power to decide their internal matters without outside interference. However, with the rise of international law and globalization, the notion of sovereignty has evolved, particularly in relation to human rights. The expectation is that a sovereign state has the duty to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Governments create laws, enforce justice, and establish institutions that uphold human rights, such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, the right to education, freedom from state-sanctioned or state-tolerated torture. The principle of sovereignty allows states to adopt and implement human rights frameworks that align with their social, cultural, and historical contexts. Moreover, sovereignty enables states to resist external forces that may threaten their citizens’ rights. For example, a […]

Applying the Systems Thinking Framework to Human Rights

Prof. Souaiaia Essays, Systems Thinking Framework, Theory Systems Thinking 0

The Systems Thinking Framework is not a new approach to problem solving. It is, however, unknown or new to most researchers and scholars active in the broad areas of scholarly inquiry known as social sciences and the humanities. For scientists and researchers in physics and biological, engineering, and computer sciences however, systems thinking has been used to successfully build a formidable body of knowledge solving some of the most difficult problems and explaining mysterious phenomena. Explaining systems thinking as it applies to human rights, a topic of interest to scholars in almost all academic and professional fields of study, and as it is applied by scholars of human rights is a challenging task, let alone convincing scholars to adopt it in their research and teaching. Notwithstanding all the above, given the complexity of the topic of human rights, systems thinking can be a compelling framework for explaining the forces behind some of the most egregious human rights abuses throughout history and across cultures. The degree of success in applying the framework to human rights largely depends on researchers’ ability to define the elements of the framework, for the definitions will greatly vary. Therefore, providing definitions of what is a “systems thinking framework” is a good place to start. At the core of the Systems Thinking Framework (STF) is the idea of “system”. To be sure, engaging with the concept of systems thinking requires a capacity to process many things at the same time including the meanings and functions of “system” […]