Human Rights Definitions and Controversies

Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to, regardless of their background, race, gender, or any other characteristic. These rights are typically defined and protected by international laws and agreements, like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The UDHR is a landmark document adopted by the United Nations in 1948. It sets out fundamental human rights that should be universally respected and protected. It serves as a common standard for all people and nations.

Sophocles' play, Antigone, tells the story of a woman who defied a king's law to honor her brother's burial, highlighting the conflict between state authority and individual rights. Her actions challenged the prevailing power structure and paved the way for the recognition of individual dignity and moral principles.

Basic rights are essential needs for survival, like access to food, water, and shelter. Human rights are broader and encompass a range of freedoms and protections, including the right to education, freedom of speech, and freedom from discrimination. While basic rights are the minimum necessities for life, human rights aim to secure a dignified and fulfilling life for all.

The Council of Europe is an international organization that actively promotes and protects human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe.

Antigone's story highlights the timeless conflict between the individual's moral conscience and the authority of the state. It emphasizes an individual's right to act according to their conscience, even if it goes against the law. This principle paved the way for the recognition of human rights and the importance of individual autonomy.

An agreement made in 1975 by the European Economic Community (EEC) to provide development aid to African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. It aimed to promote economic growth in these countries and reduce their dependence on former colonial powers.

A financial instrument used by the European Union to provide development aid to ACP countries. It offers funding and technical assistance for sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and education.

The Lomé Convention established a partnership model, prioritizing aid effectiveness and long-term cooperation over short-term economic gains. This meant focusing on sustainable development and empowering ACP countries to build their own self-sufficiency.

Early EEC external policy prioritized development aid through the Lomé Convention, but human rights were not explicitly integrated. This meant that human rights violations in ACP countries were not considered a barrier to receiving aid.

After the Lomé Convention's implementation, the European Parliament began debating the issue of providing aid to ACP countries with human rights violations. This showed a shift in the EEC's approach towards recognizing human rights as a factor in development aid.

Machiavelli believed that human beings are inherently evil and driven by self-interest. This belief is reflected in his famous quote, "All men are bad, and they will always show their true nature when given the opportunity."

Fortune, for Machiavelli, represents chance or luck. He believed that while a ruler cannot control all events, they should attempt to recognize and adapt to situations beyond their control.

Machiavelli argued that a ruler's primary concern should be the security and stability of the state, even at the expense of individual human rights. This idea was revolutionary for its time.

Virtu, for Machiavelli, is not simply virtue in the traditional sense but a combination of skill, ambition, and cunning. This represents the qualities a ruler needs to navigate the complexities of power and maintain stability.

While Machiavelli never explicitly stated this, his teachings are often interpreted to suggest that a ruler should justify their actions based on the outcome, even if they are morally questionable.

Machiavelli's political realism, focusing on power and pragmatism, revolutionized how people viewed politics. His work challenged traditional Christian moral codes and influenced political leaders for centuries.

During the 17th century, political thinkers like Hobbes began to emphasize 'positive rights' - rights granted by governing bodies, over 'natural rights' - innate rights inherent in humans.

Machiavelli's view of humanity was pessimistic. He believed that people are inherently self-serving and driven by their own desires, making it difficult to achieve true unity and harmony.

Machiavelli saw laws as essential for maintaining order and security in a society, especially considering his belief in human beings' inherent evilness. He believed that laws were needed to restrain individual desires and prevent chaos.

A series of agreements that aimed to improve relations between the East and West, with a focus on security and cooperation in Europe. It included the Helsinki Final Act, which addressed human rights.

The main document of the CSCE that outlined the principles of cooperation and security between the countries involved, including a commitment to human rights.

The Helsinki Final Act was divided into three thematic areas: security, economic cooperation, and human rights. These were referred to as baskets.

The Helsinki Final Act emphasized the importance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, committing signatories to uphold them.

This US law linked trade privileges with the USSR to its emigration policies, prompting the US to seek dialogue on human rights.

The European Economic Community (EEC) actively pushed for the inclusion of human rights in the Helsinki Accords, seeing it as an opportunity to promote democratic values in Europe.

In his inaugural address, President Carter emphasized the importance of human rights as a guiding principle in US foreign policy.

A US congresswoman who actively campaigned for human rights and spoke out against the USSR's treatment of dissidents.

A mechanism for coordinating foreign policy among the members of the EEC, it contributed to a unified approach within the negotiations.

The CSCE ultimately failed to bridge the gap between the East and West, as the USSR and its allies continued to restrict human rights and freedoms.

A hypothetical condition where humans are inherently evil and live without laws or government. Each individual acts solely based on self-preservation and desires, leading to chaos and violence.

The absolute sovereign ruler in Thomas Hobbes' philosophy. This ruler possesses supreme power and enforces laws to maintain order and security. The Leviathan represents the social contract where individuals surrender some rights for protection.

Rights inherent to all human beings that exist independently of laws or government. In the context of Hobbes, these rights are surrendered to the Leviathan for the sake of a peaceful and organized society.

An agreement between individuals in a society to surrender some of their natural rights in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by a ruler or government. It's an implicit agreement for a more stable and orderly society.

Hobbes believed that humans are inherently selfish and driven by a constant fear of death. In the absence of a strong ruler, this leads to a chaotic 'state of nature' where individuals are constantly at war with each other.

A political treatise that provides a pragmatic guide for rulers on how to acquire and maintain power. It emphasizes the importance of pragmatism, ruthlessness, and deception in achieving political goals.

Machiavelli's ideas were controversial because they challenged traditional moral norms and advocated for a less benevolent approach to rulership. While emphasizing effective governance, it raised questions about ethicality and the potential for abuse of power.

Epicurus believed in living a simple life free from fear and anxiety. He encouraged individuals to focus on pleasure and avoid pain, arguing that true happiness comes from understanding the natural world and its limitations.

Lucretius argued against the fear of gods and religion, emphasizing the importance of reason over superstition. He believed that we should embrace our place in the natural world and not live in fear of the unknown.

According to Hobbes, human rights only exist in the context of laws and a ruling authority. Without a government to enforce rules and ensure order, the natural rights of individuals are constantly threatened and vulnerable.