Baruchello, GiorgioJohnstone, Rachael Lorna2025-11-142025-11-142011Baruchello, G & Johnstone, R L 2011, 'Rights and value : Construing the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights as civil commons', Studies in Social Justice, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 91-125. https://doi.org/10.26522/ssj.v5i1.9941911-47882968295702a24665-33ee-463a-9732-2a8fad48043d80055080728https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5701This article brings together the United Nations' International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and John McMurtry's theory of value. In this perspective, the ICESCR is construed as a prime example of "civil commons," while McMurtry's theory of value is proposed as a tool of interpretation of the covenant. In particular, McMurtry's theory of value is a hermeneutical device capable of highlighting: (a) what alternative conception of value systemically operates against the fulfilment of the rights enshrined in the ICESCR; (b) the increased relevance of the ICESCR with regard to the current global economic crisis; (c) the parameters to determine the degree to which the rights at issue have been realized. Reflections on environmental implications of both the ICESCR and McMurtry's axiology conclude the article.3523946691-125eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessUnited nationsRightsEnvironmentGender StudiesSociology and Political ScienceLaw/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.26522/ssj.v5i1.994