Thomas Meyer’s Theory of Social Democracy Education '1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. 2. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, with a view to achieving the full realization of this right: (a) Primary education shall be compulsory and available free to all;[…] (c) Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education…'(Art. 13, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 19 December 1966) Specifically the member states of the'Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' should be committed to an active granting of economic, social and cultural rights. Article 6 for example, gives concrete advice on how to create a society in which everyone is free to choose his work. All governments should reexamine the fundamental rights from time to time, which their countries have ratified. This could help to end certain discussions on the role of the state. From the viewpoint of social democracy, a state should act above all: l to provide an infrastructure and services(so-called'services of general interest') which are freely accessible, furnish safeguards and open up opportunities; l to create opportunities by means of social redistribution which allow people to participate actively and independently in society and democracy; l to embed the market economy so broadly that democratic structures and workers' interests are protected. Similar to the UN covenants, social democracy requests a relatively active state. Therefore social democrats promote, e.g., a state system of social insurances as this is a good way to implement positive civil rights. The state should organize compulsory insurances that guarantee all citizens a pension, income support or free medical treatment. These securities open up the opportunity to participate in society even when you are a loser of the economic competition. A tax-based social system can contribute in a similar way to people`s ability to live a free and decent life. “The state should organize compulsory insurances that guarantee all citizens a pension, income support or free medical treatment.” 19