A Right to Exist

Book excerpt: A Right to Exist: Whose Rights Are Right? traces the development of the understanding and expression of rights in American culture. By looking back to the history of the struggle for the recognition of civil rights, John Jeffrey traces their development and, along the way, explores the emerging confusion between rights and preferences. A Right to Exist establishes a foundation for rights both in the founding documents of the United Statesthe Declaration of Independence and the Constitutionwhile also tracing how these formulations depend upon Gods law as spelled out in the Bible. The works historical survey digs into the development of civil rights from the time of the Civil War to the present day. A chapter looks at how rights and preferences commingle in the discussion about abortion rights. The final chapter investigates the history of the rights of Jewish people. You may find yourself stuck in intractable debates with others over the priorities placed on preferences and rights. You might have questions about the direction taken by public policy discussions. You might desire to gain a clearer understanding of the true roots of the rights we enjoy in the United States. For answers to these issues A Right to Exist: Whose Rights Are Right? will serve as your guide for your exploration of preferences, choices, and rights.