Reader’s opinion|Enshrining general basic obligations in law could encourage the common good.
Medical station doesn’t quote a heart attack. Reservists leave. School bullying and youth violence are increasing. Companies do not follow the authorities’ recommendations.
What do these have in common? We claim that people’s sense of responsibility has decreased. At least in part, it is due to the emphasis on individual rights at the expense of responsibilities, which is characteristic of today’s society.
Human rights as individual rights developed as a counterweight to the power of states and other communities. Even in the Middle Ages, the relationship of ordinary people towards both secular and religious actors was governed by obligations. People had no rights.
The change that started with the French Revolution culminated after World War II in the UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948). It was the first time that the universal rights of people were brought together. Finland they have entered legislation as basic rights. They limit and direct public power. However, the purpose is not to reduce responsibilities. In the discussion, this point of view has been left aside, especially since fundamental rights have not been given much importance in relations between individuals.
“
People’s sense of responsibility has decreased.
Although it is difficult to prove the matter, an important development in favor of fundamental rights also has negative effects. The drumming of individual rights has created the impression that we only have rights but no responsibilities. Communities and other people are something you can get from, but you don’t have to give anything to. It has led to unhealthy individualism for many. Communities are not taken care of, it is enough that one’s position is secured. Others are not taken into account as before.
We have some regulations embodying civic responsibilities, such as the Police Act and the Rescue Act. However, general obligations have not been included in the constitution – even though it is based on the inviolability of human dignity and, among other things, children are included in it for special protection.
Enshrining general basic obligations in the law could contribute to encouraging the common good. While laws embody society’s morality, they also influence it. Such general principles could include, in addition to the environmental and national defense responsibilities already in the constitution and compulsory education stipulated by law, for example the duty to take care of loved ones, the duty to participate in community activities, such as work, and the duty to participate in democracy as far as possible.
Sure the vast majority of people still strongly defend communal values. However, one must ask whether the sense of responsibility in all of us is rooted in the deep structures of society. If the community lives only on the ideologies of the time, it is not in strong conditions. Ideologies come and go.
The deep structures of society, on the other hand, change slowly. Now it seems that those structures have started to bend in an unfavorable direction. However, there is still time to turn the ship around and correct the course. This is a challenge for everyone, especially the managers of our common affairs: politicians.
Pauli Ståhlberg
doctor of law
Juha Karhu
professor emeritus of the law of obligations
The reader’s opinions are speeches written by HS readers, which are selected and delivered by the HS editors. You can leave an opinion piece or familiarize yourself with the principles of writing at the address www.hs.fi/kiryotamielipidekeisuis/.
#Readers #Opinion #basic #obligations #recorded #law