An in-depth study of the relation between democracy, economic, and social rights. Three approaches will be considered. (1) The ‘no-relation’ approach based on the idea that economic and social rights are not rights in the strict sense of the word. (2) The ‘basic minimum’ approach, according to which a basic minimum of social and economic rights must be fulfilled, in view of the fact that great economic disparities lead to political and social inequality, and hence to political instability. (3) The approach according to which social and economic rights are rights in the strict philosophical sense, justified not only by reference to considerations of political and social stability, but as rights in and of themselves.
