The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

61 years ago today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.

This declaration is a part of the modernist narrative, a narrative that tells us that people had no rights before, in a world of absolute governments, whereas now – with the United Nations having decreed rights – these governments are no longer absolute. This narrative is dubious at best.

There are indeed areas where these decreed rights are a good thing. However, there are areas where vagueness is the most distinct attribute. Moreover, the declaration protects the right to sleep on the couch for someone else's money.