The major cleavage in global human rights discourse has been between :

The major cleavage in global human rights discourse is defined by the distinction between civil and political rights (first-generation) and economic, social, and cultural rights (second-generation) [1]. This division became legally formalized through two separate international covenants: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Historically, Western nations prioritized first-generation rights focused on individual liberty and protection from state interference. In contrast, the Global South and socialist states emphasized second-generation rights, which address socio-economic fulfillment and collective well-being [1]. While modern discourse emphasizes that these rights are indivisible and interdependent, the typology of human rights activists and legal frameworks continues to reflect this fundamental cleavage between civil-political liberties and socio-economic entitlements.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-08/UNDP-RBAP-NEW-CATEGORIES-OF-RIGHTS-2022.pdf