Human Rights

The United Nations defines human rights as those entitlements endowed upon an individual simply for the reason of them being a human being. Human rights are recognised as universal, alienable and indivisible, meaning they apply to all humans, they cannot be taken away, and they cannot be partially recognised. It could easily be assumed that it is these rights which in essence tie us together as humans.

However the concept of human rights, especially its principles of universality, have increasing global and national implications. Human rights are recognised differently across borders, depending on the cultural and socio-political institutions present in each nation, and there have been many claims that the perceivable 'forced recognition' of a determined doctrine of rights has the ability to undermine a nation's sovereignty and cultural independence.

I came across a chapter in a book written by Makau Matua, titled 'The Complexity of Universalism in Human Rights'. In this chapter, Matua argues that while the development of human rights cannot be traced back to one cultural power, the recognition of human rights aligns with the adoption of a liberal democracy, and that in itself is a cultural imposition upon many countries who are perceived as not having an agreeable governing system

Please don't get me wrong (please!), human rights are essential to our livelihoods and should be recognised at their maximum standard. However, I think it is increasingly important that we recognsie the complexity that many nations face when recognising and enforcing these doctrines in a modern and globalised context.

Democracy

'this nation should have a new birth of freedom...a government of the people, for the people and by the people'

It can safely be assumed that overall, there is a global consensus that democracy is the superior form of governance practised in our world today. However despite its perceived benefits, it is very clear that democracy is still unequally recognised throughout the world, and many countries are still reluctant to pursue a democratic government. Increasingly, it is being suggested that democracy in i

Democracy in itself is objectively a Western concept. It is believed that the first form of widespread democracy was practiced in Ancient Greece in around the 6^th Century BC, and since then spread across the world. Which perhaps gives traction to the notion of why there is an overwhelmingly unequal recognition of democratic rule between Western and Eastern countries.

It is increasingly being recognised by many developing countries that democracy is largely a push for the imposition of Western ideologies around the world. It is critical in this regard to note the huge inequality in widespread democratic governance that exists between the East and the West. This is still despite two of the three biggest democracies in the world, both India and Indonesia, both being Eastern countries.

Furthermore, it's interesting to note the global push for democracy has been framed by its fundamental recognition of justice and the rights of man (and woman!) The UN recognises democracy as a fundamental element of its Development Programme and embodies its values within its DHR. Despite this, the path that many countries now take toward recognising democracy can hardly be considered lawful, and in essence can be a contradiction of human rights even more so than not recognising democracy. In the same theme mentioned as before, two of the world's largest democracies still fae significant hindrances in developmental, ranking respectively 108^th and 135^th in the UN's Human Development Index.

The push for democracy is something very evident in the current protests of democracy occurring in Hong Kong. There is clearly a recognised cultural distinction in the demand for democracy, in that the push is largely fuelled by the younger population, who have arguably lived in a more globalised, and Western-influenced world. In the light of this, it is important to recognise the significant cultural and historical influences that play into the recognition of democracy within a nation.

Hello!!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!!!!!

I’ve made this blog because I have to, but also to track my progression as I travel my way through the 84 days of this course (not including holidays, because everyone needs a holiday!), as part of the DIPP1110!

We are now living in an increasingly globalised, and culturally intertwined world, and it is becoming very important that we understand our place as citizens within the scope of the local, as well the global. I know that this is not something that can be solely learnt from a big textbook, and  I understand that global citizenship is not an absolute concept, but a life-long journey, however I think it is really important to be given the context to appreciate and recognise this!

So all aboard as we travel into the depths of the globe during these 84 days (like 50 of which have already passed)!!

:)