Capitalisme et droits de l’homme. Lecture philosophique des œuvres d’Adam Smith

Abstract

Capitalism is attacked from all sides; its critics present it as a cause of injustice. However, it continues to establish itself as the main economic system. At the same time, Human Rights present themselves as the central sociological and political reference, or rather the ideal of justice. We have therefore undertaken to study the relationship between capitalism and Human Rights, or more precisely the relationship between economic efficiency and justice, based on the works of Adam Smith. The interest of our work consists in the search for understanding of the coexistence between a system as supposedly unjust as capitalism and Human Rights, which represent an ideal of justice. We have thus been able to see that there is convergence between capitalism and Human Rights with regard to their foundations and purposes, both revolving around liberal individualism. However, these convergences seem to be dissolving because individualism can be seen as an invitation to the exaltation of selfishness, giving rise, in a capitalist system, to abuses as infamous, morally and politically reprehensible as oppression, exploitation and the alienation of man by man. However, deepening our research establishes an inextricable connection between capitalism and Human Rights. This allowed us to see that capitalism, when it does not deviate from its principles, harmonize with Human Rights, like two sides of the same coin.