Universalism and Human Rights

Universalism and Human Rights

Jeffrey Rabinowitz
International Relations
12-5-2008 {draw:frame} {draw:frame} {draw:frame} Introduction What are Human Rights The rise of Human rights and entry into International Law The Concept of Universalism Universalism and Human Rights The Concept of Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism and Human Rights *Hypocrisy and misuse *of Universalism My Theory on Human Rights 10.Conclusion Introduction The International protection of Human Rights has been the root of much heated debate in the past century. Scholars from western nations often argue that Human Rights are universal, and that the West should play its part to ensure that the protection of Human rights is implemented on a worldwide scale. The opposing view, however, that of Cultural Relativism, has been recently gaining momentum, especially among prominent Islamic scholars. These scholars state that Human Rights are not universal in nature, and instead, depend on the context of the culture that is present in the nation in question. In addition to being an important moral issue, the idea of Human Rights protection is undoubtedly crucial to American Foreign Policy, as well as to International Relations as a whole. According to the United States Department of State, “The Protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago, and since then, promotion of respect for Human Rights has been the central goal of United States foreign policy.” The way the United States chooses to interact with a particular foreign nation, whether it be a cooperative interaction with an ally or the prosecution of an enemy through economic sanctions or all out war, is partially contingent on how well protected human rights are in that nation. Human Rights issues also penetrate the sphere of international relations. Similar to America’s consideration of Human Rights in its foreign policy decisions,...

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