Poverty and Fundamental Rights: The Justification and Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights

Socio-economic rights have been widely regarded as aspirational goals, rhetorically useful, but having few practical implications for government policy and the distribution of resources within a polity. It is not therefore surprising that socio-economic rights have been systematically neglected in the world today, with millions still lacking access to basic shelter, food or health-care. This book seeks to provide a sustained argument for placing renewed emphasis upon socio-economic rights in the fight against desperate poverty. It utilizes a combination of political philosophy, constitutional law, and public policy in its focus and analyzes why violations of socio-economic rights are treated with less urgency than violations of civil and political rights.

David Bilchitz graduated cum laude from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in 1997 with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and in 1999 with a law degree (LLB). In 2000, he worked as law clerk to the current Chief Justice of South Africa, Pius Langa when the famous Grootboom case was decided. He graduated from St. John's College, University of Cambridge with an Mphil degree in Philosophy in 2001 and a PhD degree in 2004 with a thesis that combined political philosophy and constitutional law. He currently works for Ross Kriel Attorneys, a law firm that together with its sister organization, Ashira Consulting, specializes in the law relating to the public sector. He is also a part-time lecturer in jurisprudence at the University of the Witwatersrand