Buchanan is assessing the assumption that rights are so valuable as to be indispensable elements of any social order, and makes several arguments to counter this assumed uniqueness. First arguing against rights being unique by arguing that rights are only valuable in situations of conflict, the author then explores whether some conflicts can be addressed by other means, or whether rights are necessary in some situations, proving their value. Buchanan shows that the debate between Kantian and Utilitarian philosophers over the conflict between liberty and equality is based upon the false assumption that only moral principles which are rights principles can be enforced. While he does not agree with this, he does argue that rights principles are valuable as justification for enforcement in cases such as public goods.
