Chapter 1 | Page 14 In summary, considerations related to resource requirements for ESC rights―in particular, the interpretation of ‘maximum available resources’― involve a complex set of applicable concepts and models. Further scholarly effort is required to relate these concepts to human rights theory and practice. Such efforts should be informed by understanding that human rights objectives are part of the broad social, economic and political objectives of the State and that resource requirements for these areas are heavily influenced by political and social priorities. The requirement for allocation of the ‘maximum of available resources’ for ESC rights objectives must be considered in the context of the State resource allocation matrix. For this to be practical, more nuanced explanations of the process of public sector finance and policy priority-setting in the allocation of resources for programmes and activities are necessary. This will go a long way towards objectively identifying State efforts in the area of ESC rights realisation. 1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES As discussed above, the concept of ‘resources’ for the realisation of ESC rights has been increasingly recognised as a key element of interest within ESC rights scholarship. In particular, in recent years, scholars have explored various aspects of the obligation to use ‘maximum available resources’ for the progressive realisation of ESC rights and have addressed some conceptual parameters of resources in this context, including the definitional problems of ‘maximum available resources’.34 These seminal works provide the necessary conceptual background to the present study and have guided its focus and practice orientation. The main aim of this study is to provide a re-conceptualisation and broader interpretation of the concept of ‘maximum available resources’ proclaimed in 34 See for example, Robertson, above n 16; Balakrishnan et al, above n 14; Elson, Balakrishnan and Heintz, above n 14; Skogly, above n 14.