Social competence as basis of the concept of "Human Rights"

Abstract

The article considers the concept of "human rights" in terms of sociology of law. It is noted that one of the central problems of human rights theory is the need to have social competence. Social competence is a certain - socially significant - knowledge and skills possessed by a person, social and professional groups, the population as a whole; they reflect social phenomena and processes; people receive them during personal and public life, as well as during professional activities. Knowledge that falls within the scope of social competence also includes: knowledge about society, its structure and forms of government; about laws; about legal, moral culture; offenses and legal liability. All this leads to the realization of political, economic, social and other opportunities of the individual, creates conditions for the free development of man and his dignified life.

The meaning of this concept is determined by the existing social conditions – general, related to the nature of social relations, social structure, general culture, level of education, religiosity of the population; and specific, which are related to the development of democratic institutions of society, ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens, taking into account freedom of speech and opinion, receiving and transmitting information, conscience, etc. It is concluded that human rights and freedoms appear as an important feature of any type of civilization, which reveals the position of the individual in society, the legal and moral conditions of its existence and development.