what is the difference between negative and positive rights
Negative and positive rights
Under the theory of positive and negative rights , a negative right is a right not to be subjected to an action of another person or group -- a government , for example -- usually in the form of abuse or coercion . As such , negative rights exist unless someone acts to negate them . A positive right is a right to be subjected to an action of another person or group . In other words , for a positive right to be exercised , someone else 's actions must be added to the equation . In theory , a negative right forbids others from acting against the right holder , while a positive right obligates others to act with respect to the right holder . In the framework of the Kantian categorical imperative , negative rights can be associated with perfect duties while positive rights can be connected to imperfect duties . 
Under the theory of positive and negative rights , a negative right is a right not to be subjected to an action of another person or group -- a government , for example -- usually in the form of abuse or coercion . As such , negative rights exist unless someone acts to negate them . A positive right is a right to be subjected to an action of another person or group . In other words , for a positive right to be exercised , someone else 's actions must be added to the equation . In theory , a negative right forbids others from acting against the right holder , while a positive right obligates others to act with respect to the right holder . In the framework of the Kantian categorical imperative , negative rights can be associated with perfect duties while positive rights can be connected to imperfect duties .
Under the theory of positive and negative rights , a negative right is a right not to be subjected to an action of another person or group - a government, for example - usually in the form of abuse or coercion. For a positive right to be exercised, someone else's actions must be added to the equation.
Under the theory of positive and negative rights , a negative right is a right not to be subjected to an action of another person or group -- a government , for example -- usually in the form of abuse or coercion . In other words , for a positive right to be exercised , someone else 's actions must be added to the equation .