Why the poll at Wits was tactically clever but meaningless
If every student voted for classes to go on, and voted (say) that fees be raised so that fewer people could get to university, that vote would not be not a proper one
The move by Wits University to get students and staff to vote on whether or not the university should continue with lectures was tactically clever but meaningless, argues Alison Tilley. Rights cannot be voted away — that’s what makes them rights Both sides in the Wits University dispute — those who wanted the university open and those who wanted it closed — claimed to represent a majority. In these circumstances a democratic vote might seem to be a smart move. But last week's poll at Wits was in many ways misconceived. We all have a right to basic education. We have a right to further education which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available. We are also guaranteed the right to dignity and to freedom and security of the person, including the right to be free from all forms of violence. We also have the right to free expression. We have the right to equality. The state must protect rights. It must in fact respect, protect, promote and fulfil them, and ...
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