Human Rights and Public Opinion: From Attitudes to Action

Shareen Hertel (), Lyle Scruggs () and C. Patrick Heidkamp
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C. Patrick Heidkamp: Southern Connecticut State University

No 3, Economic Rights Working Papers from University of Connecticut, Human Rights Institute

Abstract: This paper investigates American public opinion supporting human rights and willingness to engage in economic behavior consistent with such support. We look at three types of rights in particular: freedom of expression, freedom from torture, and the right to a guaranteed minimum standard of living. The current literature on human rights largely ignores public opinion, and vice versa. Based on our analysis of a 2006 national survey, we find that more Americans believe in a broader range of human rights (including economic rights) than has previously been assumed. We also find that most Americans report that they are willing to spend more on goods produced ethically and that those who are supportive of human rights may be more willing to pay for such goods. Our findings have implications for theories and practice of human rights, and for development of new markets for ethical consumption.

Keywords: : human rights; public opinion; sweatshops; fair trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hrm and nep-soc
Date: 2007-07, Revised 2008-04
Note: The authors gratefully acknowledge the research support of Rachel Jackson and the assistance of staff of the University of Connecticut Center for Survey Research and Analysis as well as the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. We have also benefited from the comments on earlier drafts of this article from members of the University of Connecticut Economic Rights Reading Group/Human Rights Institute, and from Dawn Brancati and Davita Glasberg.
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