International Relations and Human Rights

Introduction

• International relations, for decades, primarily focused on political, economic, and security dimensions.
• The later 20th century saw a growing emphasis on cultural differences, particularly impacting global politics.
• Culture and identity are central to understanding evolving political dynamics.
• Key events like the Cold War's end, 9/11, and globalization have reshaped the global political landscape by highlighting cultural differences.

Defining Human Rights

• Human rights are entitlements inherent to being human.
• These rights are universal, regardless of background.
• Human rights are rooted in the belief in a fundamental moral order governing human conduct.

Theories of Human Rights

• Realism: Views human rights as a 'soft' issue secondary to power, security, and national interests. Some realists criticize considering human rights in global politics.
• Liberalism: Argues that human rights are fundamental to international relations and the foundation for legitimate governance. Liberals emphasize the importance of human rights for governments and individuals.

Major Conventions

• Stockholm Conference (1972): A pivotal conference on the human environment emphasizing global environmental issues. It established the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Brundtland Commission (1987): This commission defined sustainable development; that development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Rio 'Earth Summit' (1992): Focused on environmental protection, sustainable development, and the preservation of the global environment.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): This international treaty aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
• Kyoto Protocol (1997): An international treaty committed to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases for developed countries.
• Paris Agreement (2016): An international accord to address climate change; limiting global warming to below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
• International Bill of Rights: A collection of international treaties specifying rights for individuals, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) passed in 1948.

Human Rights Regime

• United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR): An organ of the UN that works to protect human rights.
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): A department of the UN that advocates for and protects human rights globally.
• United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Works to promote and protect human rights and address human rights violations.

Major International Human Rights Documents

• Various historical documents have been instrumental in shaping human rights discourse and practices , including the Magna Carta, the US Declaration of Independence, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Poverty and Development

• Poverty is a persistent global problem.
• Key figures and events like the 18th-century predictions of Thomas Malthus about population growth and development and the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 highlight the complexities of achieving development goals.

Development Theories

• Realism: Emphasizes power dynamics and state interests in development strategies.
• Liberalism: Promotes free markets and the importance of individual economic freedom and the expansion of capabilities.

Global Institutions in Development

• Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs): International institutions like the IMF and the World Bank have implemented SAPs to encourage growth and development in developing economies, leading to debate about these policies.
• Human Development Index (HDI): A metric developed by the United Nations to assess development beyond economic growth, considering factors like health, education, and living standards.

Religion and Globalization

• Religion is a complex force shaping international relations; impacting politics, societies, and global conflicts.
• Many scholars debate the cultural clash of civilizations and the rise of fundamentalist movements and political Islam.

Explore the intricate relationship between international relations and human rights in this quiz. Analyze the impacts of cultural differences and key historical events on the evolution of human rights discourse. Understand how different theories, such as realism and liberalism, approach the concept of human rights.