What is the relationship between rights and duties?

Asked by: Dr. Maggie Schuster V  |  Last update: January 30, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (19 votes)

Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin, inseparable and interdependent: every right held by one person implies a corresponding duty on others (or the state) to respect, protect, or fulfill it, while enjoying your rights (like free speech) comes with the duty to respect others' rights (like not inciting violence) and uphold societal obligations. They define the balance in society, where individual freedoms (rights) are upheld through collective responsibilities (duties).

What is the relationship between a right and duty?

If one has the right, the other has the duty related to that right. If one enjoys the right, it becomes the duty of the other not to prove an obstacle in the enjoyment of his right. For instance, if I enjoy the right to life it is the duty of other not to cause any harm to my life.

What is the relationship between legal rights and duties?

Relation Between Rights and Duties

Thus, while a right represents an individual's legally protected interest, a duty represents the corresponding legal obligation imposed upon others to respect that interest. This correlation can be summarised as follows: Right: A power conferred by law.

What is the relationship between human rights and duties?

Rights and duties are interrelated in every social and political activity of man. While rights exalt individual liberty, duties express the dignity of that liberty. Duties of a juridical nature presuppose others of a moral nature which support them in principle and constitute their basis”.

How are rights and duties related to each other?

Rights are what one want others to do for him/her, whereas duties are those acts that one should perform for others. Thus, a right comes with an obligation to show respect for the rights of others. The obligations that accompany rights are in the form of duties.

relationship between Rights and duties,#right,#duties,#relationship_between_rights_and_duties

31 related questions found

What is the difference between rights and duties?

Citizen's Fundamental rights are the basic rights that every citizen is entitled to, while Fundamental duties are the responsibilities that every citizen is expected to uphold.

Why are rights and responsibilities connected?

It is certainly true that individuals exercise basic rights—such as freedom of speech, assembly, religion—but in another sense, rights, like individuals, do not function in isolation. Rights are exercised within the framework of a society, which is why rights and responsibilities are so closely connected.

Are duties more important than rights?

But while studying the Indian Constitution, it is no secret that rights are given more importance over duties especially in respect of enforceability- where duties are regarded as mere moral obligations for the citizens to follow.

What is the relationship between natural rights and duties according to Locke?

Accordingly, Locke held that the obligation to obey civil government under the social contract was conditional upon the protection of the natural rights of each person, including the right to private property. Sovereigns who violated these terms could be justifiably overthrown.

What are the 5 R's of human rights?

It reminds personnel of “the five R's of human rights” (recognize, refrain, react, record, and report) and lists USSoUthCom's standing orders concerning respect for human rights.

What did Gandhi say about rights and duties?

Mahatma Gandhi had said “the true source of right is the duty. If we all discharge our duties, rights will not be far to seek”. Part 51 A was introduced in the Indian Constitution in the year 1976 with the attempt to balance between an individual's civic freedoms with his civic obligations.

What does rights are correlative with duties mean?

It is commonly said that the rights and duties of the citizens are correlative. It means that rights have real meaning, if individuals perform duties. A duty is something that someone is expected or required to do. Indian Constitution originally had no provision for Fundamental Duties.

What are rights and duties ethics?

In Right ethics - Human rights is the ultimate appeal and it should be respected; In Duty ethics - Duty is placed on others. For example, if we take right to live, we are placing a duty on others that they should not kill us.

What is the relationship between duties and wrongs?

A legal duty is an act the opposite of which is a legal wrong. It is an act recognized as a duty by law and treated as such for the administration of justice. A moral or natural duty is an act the opposite of which is a moral or natural wrong. A duty may be moral but not legal or legal but not moral.

What is an example of rights and responsibility?

I have the right to good healthcare, especially when I am sick... ...and I have the responsibility to care for other people. ...and I have the responsibility to listen to other people and respect them. ...and I have the responsibility to accept other people who are different from me.

What are the three natural rights?

Among these fundamental natural rights, Locke said, are “life, liberty, and property.”

Where do rights come from?

Rights come from different sources, primarily seen as either natural/human rights (inherent to being human, from nature or a creator, universal and inalienable) or legal/civil rights (granted and protected by governments through laws and constitutions, like the U.S. Bill of Rights). Philosophical views also place rights in reason, human dignity, or social contract, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) serving as a foundational international document for human rights. 

What was John Locke's theory?

John Locke's theories center on natural rights (life, liberty, property), the social contract, and limited government, arguing people form governments by consent to protect these inherent rights, but can overthrow rulers who fail, heavily influencing modern liberalism and the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He also championed religious toleration and separation of church and state, believing individuals possess reason and inherent freedoms, including conscience.
 

What is the relationship between rights and duties under the law?

The relationship between rights and duties forms the cornerstone of any well-functioning legal and social system. Rights empower individuals by granting them certain freedoms and protections, while duties impose obligations to respect and uphold these rights, ensuring a harmonious society.

Why are rights and duties important?

Rights without duties are meaningless. If we do not do our duties properly, we should not expect rights. Therefore our Constitution has listed some fundamental duties for its citizens. We should carry out our duties for the smooth running of our country.

What is the meaning of rights and duties?

Rights are advantages or privileges granted to us by law, while responsibilities are our duties or obligations that allow us to enjoy these rights. In other words, every right comes with a duty to comply with and act upon it.

What is the balance between rights and responsibilities?

Our rights and responsibilities balance each other. If I want the right to drive a car I have to be responsible in many areas. I have to buy a car, maintain the car, insure the car, have a driver's license, and drive safely enough to keep it.

What rights and responsibilities are in a relationship?

Relationship Rights and Responsibilities:

Respect the limits and personal values of your partner. Communicate clearly and honestly, and with consideration toward your partner. Respect the autonomy and independent decision-making of my partner, without pressure, coercion, or use of power or control your partner.

What is the relationship between human rights and responsibilities?

Rights and Responsibilities

Responsibilities are duties to protect and promote human rights by creating the social, economic, and political conditions as well as legal guarantees necessary to ensure that all persons under a state's jurisdiction are able to enjoy those rights and freedoms.