12. Los Derechos sociales, económicos y culturales. Parte 2. (Historia de los Derechos Humanos)

Historical Evolution of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

The Context of the Industrial Revolution

• The discussion begins with the historical context of human rights, focusing on the second generation of rights emerging from the complexities of industrial society.

• In the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, debates arose regarding what constitutes national wealth, emphasizing that labor is fundamental to economic prosperity.

• Work is portrayed not only as a means for survival but also as essential for human fulfillment and dignity; thus, it should be recognized as a right.

The Right to Work and Its Conditions

• The necessity for regulations around work conditions emerged; having a job is crucial for survival and personal realization.

• Happiness and fulfillment are linked to work; referencing Epicurean philosophy suggests that states should facilitate happiness through dignified working conditions.

Misconceptions About Technological Progress

• Initially, there was optimism about machines liberating workers by reducing manual labor; however, this led to new forms of exploitation rather than freedom.

• The relationship dynamics between machine owners and workers created new types of servitude within factories.

Expansion of Human Rights Concepts

• This shift in labor relations prompted a broader understanding of human rights, particularly concerning workers' rights such as fair wages and safe working environments.

• Key rights include social security for vulnerable groups (e.g., mothers and children), access to healthcare, quality living standards, education rights, cultural participation in arts and sciences.

Impact of Economic Crises on Labor Rights

• The Great Depression highlighted the critical need for labor rights when mass unemployment led to widespread poverty across previously affluent societies.

The Struggles of Workers and the Fight for Rights

Historical Context of Worker Struggles

• The era of John Steinbeck highlights the plight of unemployed masses in America during the Great Depression, paralleling the struggles faced by Germans in Berlin seeking work amidst harsh conditions.

• This period is marked by a global phenomenon where economic hardship drives people to seek dignity through labor, reflecting on historical events like the Second World War.

Bruce Springsteen's Advocacy for Workers' Rights

• Bruce Springsteen's music addresses essential rights such as protection and working in dignified conditions, particularly focusing on illegal migrant workers in the U.S. who face hazardous environments without legal protections.

• His songs narrate the stories of these vulnerable workers, emphasizing their struggles and lack of rights due to their undocumented status.

Personal Stories of Migrant Workers

• The story of Miguel and his brother Luis illustrates the journey from a small town in Mexico to California, highlighting their sacrifices and hard labor under dire conditions in San Joaquín fields.

• They encounter toxic work environments that threaten their lives while striving for better opportunities, showcasing the harsh realities faced by many migrant workers.

Joe Hill: A Symbol of Labor Rights

• Joan Baez’s song about Joe Hill serves as an archetype for those who fought for workers' rights; it reflects on his legacy and how he symbolizes ongoing struggles for justice among laborers.

• Despite being killed ten years prior to her performance at Woodstock, Hill's spirit is portrayed as enduring wherever workers fight for their rights. Baez emphasizes that he "didn't die" because his ideals live on through continued advocacy.

Global Patterns of Worker Oppression

• The narrative extends beyond American borders, referencing historical events like worker massacres in Patagonia (Argentina) and Chile (Mariusia), illustrating a widespread quest for basic rights across different regions and eras.

• These stories reveal a persistent struggle against oppression faced by workers globally throughout history—from Europe between wars to various Latin American contexts—highlighting systemic issues surrounding labor rights.

Evolution of Economic and Social Rights

• Post World War II saw significant advancements with states recognizing social rights formally through documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) which began incorporating economic, social, and cultural rights into legislation worldwide.

• The recognition came alongside international agreements such as those established in 1966 regarding economic, social, and cultural rights; however, these remain complex due to varying interpretations across nations’ legal frameworks.

Individual vs Collective Rights

• The exercise of these newly recognized rights is both individualistic yet collective; they reflect personal freedoms while also necessitating communal support within societal structures—similar to family rights dynamics.

Understanding Labor Rights and Historical Context

The Current State of Labor Rights

• Judicial avenues for addressing labor issues are currently limited; individuals cannot yet formally report job-related grievances or mistreatment.

• Societies that integrated the majority into productive roles saw a fulfillment of rights, exemplified by post-WWII Europe through initiatives like the Marshall Plan.

Historical Examples of Social Integration

• In the U.S., the New Deal in the 1930s aimed to create a welfare state ensuring rights for most citizens.

• England also established a welfare state after WWII to reward citizens for their sacrifices during the war, though many societies still lack such integration.

Challenges in Global Context

• Many societies have not fulfilled labor rights due to insufficient integration into productive systems; some countries like Canada and Australia have succeeded, while others struggle.

• There is a historical contradiction where socio-economic rights were upheld in dictatorial regimes, but personal integrity and freedom of expression were often violated.

Interdependence of Human Rights

• Human rights are interdependent; sacrificing one right for another undermines overall human dignity. For instance, prioritizing labor rights should not come at the expense of free expression.

• Totalitarian states may emerge when individual freedoms are compromised under collective goals, as seen in socialist regimes throughout the 20th century.

Economic Globalization and Its Implications

• The complexities of economic globalization challenge traditional views on fulfilling second-generation rights amidst public spending constraints.

• Movements like those in Chiapas highlight how local populations struggle within free trade agreements that do not consider their viability or basic needs.

Keynesian Economics and Welfare States

• John Maynard Keynes advocated for creating employment conditions to stimulate economic activity and ensure societal well-being post-Great Depression.

Understanding the Evolution of Rights

The Process of Social and Economic Rights

• The discussion highlights that social and economic rights are in the process of being recognized by a significant portion of the global population, although this recognition is not yet universal across all societies.

• It is noted that these rights have already been formulated and exist within various cultures, with some successfully functioning as intended.

• This evolution is framed as part of human history and collective efforts to establish these rights, indicating their importance in societal development.

Historical Context of Collective Rights

• The narrative transitions to the historical formulation of rights originating from factories, during periods like the Great Depression, and through community movements.

• It emphasizes the struggles faced by individuals throughout history who have contributed to the idea of collective rights.