Is the right of a DECENT HOME a human RIGHT or a MERCHANDISE?

Question

Is the right of a DECENT HOME a human RIGHT or a MERCHANDISE?

Answer 1

Back in the 1600's John Locke enumerated the right of housing among those items in the "pursuit of happiness." However, in a capitalist economy, their exists no "right" to home ownership. Homes must be paid for and in that sense, homes are in fact "merchandise."

Answer 2

Define "decent."

everyone is entitled to live where they can AFFORD to live.

Everyone deserves protection from the elements, certainly.

Answer 3

Define a decent home...

If you have no money and no way of paying rent or a mortage, do you have a right to be given shelter somewhere? Yes.

But in my mind this isn't a decent home. Many believe home is what you make it. A decent home is subjective. Trump would think my house is a shack. (2000 sqf) But someone homeless would think my home is a palace.

Answer 4

A decent home is something you earn.

You do not have the 'right' to demand that others provide you with "decent" housing.  If you cannot provide this for yourself than it is charity.

Answer 5

If something is a "right," someone or some institution has to be prepared to confer and protect that right.  In the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the signers pledged to protect the right of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  These are very general terms, and had to be clarified by the Constitution, Constitutional amendments and legislation.

From a practical standpoint, there are few material things that a society can truly guarantee in an absolute sense.  And those things that are guaranteed are still dependent on the actions of the individual.  Consider that even in wealthy  countries with very generous welfare systems, there are still homeless people and people who don't get health care.  And we will never exterminate the universal human norm of reciprocity.  You have to give something to get something.  There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Answer 6

I suppose that depends upon who you ask!  The things I considered rights other cultures and even my great great grandparents would have laughed at the thought.

What is a "human RIGHT" anyway?  Who determines "human rights"?  Can human rights change over the course of time or is it something set in stone?

I think that humans have only the basic of rights- rights to life and freedom.  Anything more, in my opinion, should neither be aided nor forbade by any government.

Answer 7

I guess it is a 'right' that must be earned unless you are luck enough to have one given to you.  Even if you are on welfare, housing can be provided.  But even people on welfare are typically trying to earn something; to make it a goal to live in a decent home.

Answer 8

What exactly are human rights?  What we, in the US call human rights are not universally accepted.  I suppose that makes the answer to this dependent on your cultural viewpoint.  

To me, I'd prefer to have it be merchandise.  Then I can make an individual choice as to how I trade off dollars for housing with other choices that do not affect other people.

Answer 9

In America, you have the RIGHT to buy any home you can afford.

We are a FREE society.

You are FREE to become educated, make the next computer operating system, or invent the "pet rock".... and live in a mansion the size of Al Gore's or John Edwards'.

You are EQUALLY  FREE to drop out of school, spend your money on tattoos and cigarettes and end up living in a cardboard box under the interstate.

"human right"?.... well...    as long as you were not FORCED to be homeless, I'd say your "human right" was to CHOOSE.

After all....  isn't the "right to choose" something Liberals scream about supporting all the time?

CHOOSE.... homeless, mansion, or something in between.... but don't claim your "human rights" were violated simply because you "want what he has".... not in THIS country baby!

Answer 10

a human right can be many things. arguably they consist of 'right' a society agrees should be available to all regardless of race,creed colour or gender.

  One would assume! reasonably I think that a decent  home may form part of a package of rights that most societies  agree on.

  It all depends  also on WHO it is decided what! constitutes a decent home.

for many  a home must have clean water, hot and cold  running water with bath or shower and a kitchen etc

most also expect these facilities  to have their own rooms. such as Bathroom, Bedroom etc.

however in many counties where there are economic restrictions and high population such commodities are seen the prerogative of the rich.

therefore a decent home! Can be as simple as  a room with a bed,cooking facilities and toilet facility nearby.

all come under the banner  of human rights.

so in answer to your question.. yes ( but the quality  varies enormously)

Answer 11

A HUMN RIGHT!

Answer 12

There is no such thing as a right to a decent home.  But you do have the right to pursue a decent home if that's what you want.  You have the right to try and earn enough money to pay for a decent home.