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Human Rights and Public Opinion: From Attitudes to Action
Author(s) -
HERTEL SHAREEN,
SCRUGGS LYLE,
HEIDKAMP C. PATRICK
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
political science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1538-165X
pISSN - 0032-3195
DOI - 10.1002/j.1538-165x.2009.tb00655.x
Subject(s) - politics , human rights , political science , state (computer science) , public opinion , annals , interim , public administration , media studies , library science , law , sociology , history , classics , algorithm , computer science
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.