ABSTRACT
This chapter moves from concerns that are in a sense more structural or theoretical to more practical concerns. The chapter discusses the question of motivation: the challenge of whether individuals and societies worldwide can actually be brought to act and function in accordance with human rights, also across generations, and while adequately including the claims of future people. A large part of this question is empirical, but the chapter will also focus on how motivation can occur in acceptable ways. The core of the chapter consists in proposing a hypothesis as to when individuals will be motivated to, at least, not violate human rights and to support institutions and people that realize human rights. Here, individual motivation will be regarded as a necessary and ultimately also sufficient condition for societal motivation. The emphasis of the chapter’s hypothesis – which is developed by drawing on, among other things, recent work about moral progress – is on the need for individuals to be and feel secure in their important interests being met. The chapter will also very briefly consider some other hypotheses.
