According to social theorist randall collins, getting a "piece of paper" is more important to many than actually having the knowledge to do a job. he calls the undue priority placed on formal education:

The answer is credentialism. These are any of a number of connected development involving amplified demands for formal educational experience, and the deflation of these qualifications. In Western society, there have been rising requirements for formal qualifications or certification for jobs, a procedure called credentialism that is not easily differentiated from professionalization.

it is a part of john locke's natural rights popular during the age of enlightenment that people had inalienable rights to life, liberty and property. this was reflected by thomas jefferson in his declaration of independence as rights to life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

another line in the declaration of independence is that people have certain rights just because they are human. humans are capable of obeying the three natural rights john locke mentioned making them governable by these laws and therefore entitled to these rights as well.