 In theory, a negative right forbids others from acting against the right holder, while a positive right obligates others to act with respect to the right holder.In the framework of the Kantian categorical imperative, negative rights can be associated with perfect duties while positive rights can be connected to imperfect duties.Belief in a distinction between positive and negative rights is usually maintained, or emphasized, by libertarians, who believe that positive rights do not exist until they are created by contract.