Difference Between International Political Realism And The Acceptance Of Human Rights As A Value

TheDif ferencebetweenInternationalPoliticalRealismandtheAcceptanceofHumanRightsasaV aluePoliticalrealismandtheadvancementofhumanrightshavelonginteractedtoinfluenceinternationalaf fairs.Oftenattheexpenseofmoralconsiderations,realism,aprevalentparadigmininternationalrelations,emphasizespowerdynamics,nationalinterests,andthepursuitofsecurity .Ontheotherside,humanrightsarepredicatedonthevaluesofrespectforothers,equality ,andfreedom.Theproblematiclinkbetweentherecognitionofhumanrightsasavalueandinternationalpoliticalrealismisthesubjectofthisarticle.Thepapers"HumanDignityintheTheoryofHumanRights:NothingButaPhrase"byCharlesR.Beitzand"ResolvingInterpretiveConflictsinInternationalHumanRightsLaw"byKristenHesslerwillbeusedasabasisforouranalysisofthistopic.Accordingtothenotionofinternationalpoliticalrealism,governmentsareprimarilydrivenbyself-interestandthedesireforpower .Itclaimsthatbecausenooverarchinggovernmentexists,nationsmustprioritizesurvivalandsecurityinananarchicinternationalsystem.Realistscontendthatmoralissues,includinghumanrights,arefrequentlyputsecondtostateinterestsandareonlyconsideredanadditionalfactorininternationalrelations.Ontheotherhand,humanrightsareasetofuniversalmoralpreceptsaf firmingeveryperson'sintrinsicvalueanddignity .Theyincludeeconomic,social,andculturalrightsandfundamentalliberties,includingtherighttolife,liberty ,andsecurity .Acceptinghumanrightsasavalueentailsrecognizingthatallpeoplehavethesamerights,regardlessofnationality ,anddefendingtheirprotectionasatoppriority .Inhiswork"T owardsaPoliticalConceptionofHumanRights,"KennethBaynesexploresthenuancedconnectionbetweeninternationallawandhumanrights.Hecontendsthatalthoughinternationallawof fersanessentialframeworkfordefendinghumanrights,itcannotadequatelycapturethepoliticaldimensionofsuchrights.Baynesemphasizesthatnotallhumanrightsareobtainedfromlawsorinternationaltreaties.Instead,heemphasizesthatpoliticalinstitutionsandproceduresproducehumanrights.Thisimpliesthatdemocraticdiscussionandpublicreasoningdeterminethenatureandapplicationofhumanrights.Baynesquestionstheconventionalbeliefthathumanrightsarepre-politicalornaturalbyexaminingthepoliticalconceptualizationofsuchrights.Hecontendsthatpoliticalfactors,suchaspowerdynamics,socialstructures,andculturalsettings,areintricatelyentwinedwithhumanrights.Baynessuggestsamorenuancedapproachthatconsidersthepoliticalrootsandconsequencesofhumanrightsinsteadofinternationallaw ,concentratingoncreatinglegalrequirementsandenforcementmethods(Baynes,2019).Thisstrategyacknowledgesthevalueofdemocraticdecision-makingandwidespreadparticipationindefininganddefendinghumanrights.Baynes'workpromptsourcriticalengagementwiththeconflictbetweeninternationallawandhumanrights.Humanrightsareessentiallypoliticalandrequirecontinualpoliticalactiontoguaranteetheirfullrealization,whileinternationallawof fersanessentialframeworkforaccountabilityandenforcement.W ecanbettercomprehendtheintricaciesanddif ficultiesassociatedwithrealizinghumanrightsbyadoptingapoliticalvisionofsuchrights.Itur gesamoreprofoundcomprehensionofhumanrightsasadynamicandchangingideathatnecessitatesongoingpoliticalinvolvementandgroupef fortstofulfilpeople'sandcommunities'manyneedsandaspirationsworldwide.OnearticleinthecoursebyKristenHesslercalled"ResolvingInterpretiveConflictsinInternationalHumanRightsLaw"examinesthedif ficultiesinunderstandingandimplementinginternationalhumanrightslegislation.Hesslercontendsthatdif feringreadingsofhumanrightsclausesmayresultingovernmentshavingcontradictorylegalmeanings(Hessler ,2005,pp.29-30).Theseinterpretativedisputesshowthecontradictionbetweenrealityandadoptinghumanrightsasavalue,frequentlyrepresentingconflictingpoliticalobjectives.Thedif ficultiesofinterpretingandcarryingoutinternationalhumanrightslawarehighlightedinKristenHessler'spaper ,"ResolvingInterpretiveConflictsinInternationalHumanRightsLaw ."AccordingtoHessler(2005,pp.29-30),dif ferentinterpretationsofhumanrightsprovisionsmaygivegovernmentsconflictinglegalmeanings.Thisdisparitybetweentheidealofhumanrightsandthepoliticalgoalsofmanynationsemphasizeshowcomplicatedtheconversationabouthumanrightsis.Thepoliticalaspectofhumanrightsisfurtherexploredin"T owardsaPoliticalConceptionofHumanRights,"abookbyKennethBaynes.Baynesemphasizesthevalueofpublicdiscourseanddemocraticdiscussionindeterminingthenatureandextentofhumanrights.Hecontendsthatpoliticalinstitutionsandproceduresproducehumanrightsratherthanbeingabsoluteoruniversallyrecognized.T akefreedomofexpressionasanexampletodemonstratethislink.Therighttofreedomofexpressionisacknowledgedasafundamentalrightininternationalhumanrightslaw .However ,othernationsmayinterpretandimplementthisrightdif ferentlybecauseoftheirvariouspoliticalandculturalcircumstances.Forinstance,althoughsomenationsplaceahighvalueonindividuallibertiesandgrantwide-rangingspeechrights,othersmayplaceahighvalueonsocietalpeaceandlimitspecificspeechcategories.Thesemanyinterpretationsreflectthesocietalpoliticsandidealsofeachsociety .W eacquireabettergraspofthecomplexinteractionbetweeninternationalhumanrightslegislationandthepoliticalprocessesthatinfluenceitsinterpretationandapplicationbylookingatthewritingsofbothKristenHesslerandKennethBaynes.Itdrawsattentiontothedif ficultiesandintricaciesofattainingasharedunderstandingandappreciationofhumanrights.Itisacomplicatedmatterwhenhumanrightsconflictwithinternationallaw .In"T owardsaPoliticalConceptionofHumanRights,"KennethBaynesmakesthecasethathumanrightsarenotunalienableoruniversallyacknowledgedbutrathertheoutcomesofpoliticalinstitutionsandprocesses(Baynes,2019).Thisindicatesthatvariouspoliticalandculturalsettingsmayaf fecthowhumanrightsareinterpretedandapplied.Thedif ficultiesincomprehendingandputtingintopracticehumanrightslawsarefurthershowninKristenHessler'sarticleoninterpretativedisputesininternationalhumanrightslaw .Conflictinglegalmeaningsandpoliticalgoalsmayresultfromvaryinginterpretationsofhumanrightsprovisions(Hessler ,2005).Itiscrucialtorememberthatinternationalhumanrightslegislationof fersauniversalframeworkandstandardfordefendingandadvancinghumanrights.The"InternationalHumanRights"bookbyRhonaK.M.Smithexaminestheevolutionandimportanceofinternationalhumanrightslegislationinfosteringasharedunderstandingandcommitmenttohumanrightsacrossstates.Althoughinternationalhumanrightslawlaysthegroundwork,continuingpoliticalparticipationanddemocraticdebatearenecessarytorealizehumanrights.Publicconversationandreasoninggreatlyinfluencetheextentandcontentofhumanrightsinanyculture(Smith,2013).Thus,Humanrightsandpoliticalprocesseshaveacomplexandchanginginteraction.Politicalinstitutionsandpracticesshapehumanrights,andvariouscountriesmayhavevariedinterpretationsandapplicationsoftheserights.Ittakescontinualdiscussion,consideration,anddedicationtotacklingcomplexissueswheninterpretingandputtinghumanrightslawsintopracticeforauniversalunderstandingandrealizationofhumanrights.Thefoundationofuniversalhumanrightsisthatcertainrightsbelongtoeveryperson,irrespectiveofrace,country ,oranyotherattribute.Theselibertiesareseenasfundamentalandunalienableandbelongtoeveryone.Theimportanceofnationalinterestsandsovereigntyisemphasizedbyinternationalpoliticalrealism,whichfrequentlyconflictswithhumanrightsbeinguniversal.Covenants,liketheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR)andtheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),arecrucialtoolsincreatingaframeworkfordefendinghumanrights.Theseaccordssetforththefreedomsandrightsthatpeopleshouldhaveandthedutiesthatnationshavetouphold,defend,andimplementthesefreedomsandrights.However ,theremaybedif ferencesinhowtheseagreementsareinterpretedandpracticedbetweennations,whichcanaf fecthowwellhumanrightsareupheld.Culturalrelativismisoneofthesignificantobstaclestodevelopingasharedunderstandingofhumanrights.Manynations'cultural,religious,andhistoricaloriginsinfluencehowtheyseehumanrights.Forinstance,inW esterndemocracies,asopposedtototalitarianregimes,theideaoffreespeechmaybeinterpreteddif ferently .ConflictingPriorities,wherepoliticalprocessesfrequentlyprioritizenationalsecurity ,economicprogress,andstabilityoverhumanrightsconcerns,canbeanotherobstacletoachievinguniversalunderstanding.Thismayresultintherepressionofdissent,restrictionsontherighttofreespeech,andotherhumanrightsabuses.Politicalrealismmayprevailabovetheuniversalprinciplesinherentininternationalhumanrightslawinsuchcircumstances.Universalhumanrightsproponentscontendthatitismorallyrequiredtosafeguardandadvancetheserightsforeveryone.Thebasisofuniversalvaluesistheconvictionthateveryhumanbeingisendowedwithintrinsicworthanddignity .Somerights,suchastherighttolife,theprohibitionagainsttorture,andthefreedomofconscience,supportersclaim,shouldbeuniversallyacknowledgedandsafeguardeddespiteculturalvariations.Internationalor ganizationsliketheUnitedNations(UN)oftenresolvedomesticlawanduniversalhumanrightsconflicts.TheUNmonitorsandassessesthehumanrightsrecordsofitsmembernationsthroughproceduresliketheUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR).Internationalor ganizationscanpressurecountriestomeettheirdutieswhennationallawsandpracticescontraveneglobalhumanrightsnorms.FreedomofExpressionisanexampleofbothchallengesandprogress.Countrieshavedif ferentdefinitionsoffreedomofexpression;someprohibitpoliticalprotestorcriticismofreligiousviews.PoliticalrealismfrequentlyclasheswiththeuniversalprincipleoffreedomofexpressioninnationslikeChinaandSaudiArabia.Moreover ,LGBTQ+Rights:TheacceptanceanddefenceofLGBTQ+rightsservetoexposethegapsbetweenpoliticalprocessesandfundamentalhumanrights.WhilesomenationshaveacceptedtherightsofLGBTQ+people,othershavecriminalizedsame-sexpartnershipsordiscriminatedagainstLGBTQ+peoplebasedontheircultureorreligion.AnotherexamplecanbeW omen'sRights:Duetoculturalnormsandpoliticalopposition,women'srights,particularlygenderequalityandreproductivefreedom,confrontsubstantialobstacles.Theconflictbetweenuniversalhumanrightsandpoliticalprocessesisapparentinnationswherewomenaredeniedfundamentalrightsandsubjectedtogender -baseddiscrimination.Therefore,Humanrightsandpoliticalprocesseshaveacomplicatedandchangingconnection.Althoughinternationalhumanrightslawof fersauniformframeworkfordefendingandpromotinghumanrights,politicalfactorsfrequentlyinfluencehowtheserightsareinterpretedandimplemented.Ittakesconstantdiscussion,deliberation,andadedicationtodemocraticidealstoachieveaglobalunderstandingandrealizationofhumanrights.Humanrightscontinuetobeatopconcernonaglobalscale,thanksinlar geparttotheworkofinternationalor ganizationsandinstitutionsthathelpresolvedisputesbetweenlocallawandfundamentalhumanrights.Achievinguniversalhumanrightsultimatelynecessitatesagroupef forttoclosethegapbetweenidealideasandpracticalpoliticalrealities.ConcerningInternationalHumanRightsLawandtheRoleofCovenants,Therighttolife,liberty ,andpersonalsecurityareamongthecivilandpoliticalrightsthat,accordingtoRhonaK.M.Smith,areguaranteedbytheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights.Duetovariouspolitical,cultural,andsocialsituations,theserightsmaybeinterpretedandapplieddif ferentlyacrossdif ferentcountries(Smith,2013).Inordertoclosethegapbetweenidealidealsandpoliticalreality ,thisversionemphasizestheimportanceofconstantdiscussionanddeliberation.Thisshowsregionaldif ferencesintheunderstandingandapplicationofhumanrights,notablytherighttolife,liberty ,andpersonalsecurity .AlthoughtheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsguaranteescertainrights,thecomplexityofpolitical,cultural,andsocialsituationscanresultinvaryinginterpretationsandapplications.Continuousdiscussionanddiscoursearerequiredtoclosethisgapandensurethatpoliticalrealitiesreflecthumanrightsvaluesef fectively .Thisemphasizesthenecessityofongoingdiscussionandintellectualinteractiontocreateasharedunderstandingofhumanrights.DunneandHansonexaminetheethicalunderpinningsofhumanrightsininternationalrelations.Theycontendthattosafeguardandadvancehumanrightsallacrosstheworld;globalidealsmustbeacknowledged.Beyondnationalborders,universalidealslikedignity ,equality ,andfreedomfosterasenseofoursharedhumanity .Forinstance,manyhumanrightsarebasedontheuniversalnormofnon-discrimination.Discriminationbasedonrace,gender ,religion,oranyotherbasisisviewedasimmoralandinconflictwiththefundamentalsofhumanrights.Adoptingandacknowledginguniversalprinciplesoperateassocieties'moralcompassesanddirectthemindefendinghumanrights(Dunne&Hanson,2016).Inconnectionwithdomesticlawanduniversalhumanrightsconflicts,Battlesfrequentlyoccurwhennationallawsconflictwithinternationalhumanrightsnorms.Internationalor ganizationsandmethodsareessentialtosettlingconflictsandpreservinghumanrights.Considerascenariowhereanationpasseslawsthatdiscriminateagainstareligiousminority .Whilethegovernmentmayar guethatthisconductfallswithindomesticlaw ,itbreachesinternationalhumanrightslawnormsofnon-discriminationandreligiousfreedom.InternationalbodiesliketheInternationalCriminalCourtortheUnitedNationsHumanRightsCouncilcanconsiderthesituationandholdthenationresponsible.Internationalor ganizationsgreatlyaidtherealizationofuniversalhumanrights.Attheinternationallevel,theyserveasfacilitators,mediators,andenforcersofhumanrightslaws.Thesegroupsof ferforumsfordiscussion,oversight,andreportingonhumanrightsabuses.Theyalsocancensureorbringlegalactionagainstnationsthatviolatehumanrightsstandards.TheUniversalPeriodicReview ,treatybodies,specialrapporteurs,andotherhumanrightsinstitutions,forinstance,areallgovernedbytheUnitedNations.Thesemechanismsensurethatnationsareheldresponsibleforupholdingtheirhumanrightsobligationsandgivepeopleandor ganizationsawaytopursuejustice.Consequently ,Politicalsystemsandhumanrightshaveacomplexandchangingconnection.Whileprovidingauniversalfoundation,internationalhumanrightslegislationisinterpretedandapplieddif ferentlyindif ferentcountries.Covenantsareessentialfordefininguniversalrights,butcontinuingdiscussionanddebatearealsorequiredtoclosethegapbetweenidealideasandpracticalconsiderations.Theacceptanceofuniversalprinciplesstrengthensthemoralunderpinningsofhumanrights.T oensurethatuniversalhumanrightsareprotectedglobally ,internationalor ganizationsandmethodsareessentialinresolvingdisputesbetweendomesticjurisdictionsandthoserights.T osolvethemanyissuesthatcomeupininterpretingandputtinghumanrightslawintopractice,wemustworktogethertoachieveauniversalunderstandingandrealizationofhumanrights.Thecomplicatedconnectionbetweeneconomicglobalizationandallhumanrightsisexploredinthepaper"EconomicGlobalisationandHumanRights"byDavidL.RichardsandRonaldD.Gelleny .Whenfundamentalhumanrightsareputupagainsttherealitiesofinternationalpoliticalreality ,conflictscanresult,asthewritersinvestigate.AccordingtoRichardsandGelleny ,theincreaseininternationalcommerceandinvestment,thedrivingforcebehindeconomicglobalization,hasbothfavourableandunfavourableef fectsonthedefenceandadvancementoffundamentalhumanrights.Ontheonehand,economicglobalizationcanmakeiteasierforhumanrightsstandardstospreadacrossnationalboundaries,increasingpublicawarenessandencouragingtheirapplication.Theauthorscontend,however ,thateconomicglobalizationmayalsoproducecircumstancesthataredetrimentaltohumanrights,suchaslabourexploitation,environmentaldeterioration,andsocialinequality .Thewritersdrawattentiontotheconflictbetweenunalienablehumanrightsandtherealistoutlookthatdominatesinternationalaf fairs.Realistically ,humanrightsissuesareprioritizedbelownationalinterestsandsovereigntyinfavourofthepowerrelationshipsbetweennations.Thisconflictresultsfromrealistconcernsguidingeconomicglobalization,sometimesdisregardinghumanrightsissues.Statesmayputeconomicdevelopmentandnationalinterestsaheadofthedefenceofhumanrights,resultinginconflictbetweenthetwospheres.Theabsenceofaccountabilityandenforcementmechanismsforhumanrightsinthecontextofeconomicglobalizationisoneofthemainissuesmentionedinthearticle.Theauthorscontendthatalthoughinternationalhumanrightsnormsexist,nationsandbusinessescandisregardthemwithoutrepercussionssincetherearenorobustenforcementmechanisms.Thepowerimbalancebetweengovernmentsandtheswayofmultinationalbusinesses,whichmaythwarttheadvancementanddefenceofhumanrights,exacerbatesthisissue.RichardsandGellenyprovidemanysolutionstotheseproblems.Firstandforemost,theysupportthedevelopmentofenforceablemeasurestoholdnationsandbusinessesaccountableforabusesofhumanrightsaswellasthestrengtheningofexistinginternationalor ganizations.Second,theyemphasizethesignificanceofgrassrootsmovementsandcivilsocietyor ganizationsinpromotinghumanrightsandopposingthepredominanceofrealismviewpoints.Thewritersalsostresstheimportanceofenhancedcorporatesocialresponsibilityandtransparencytolesseneconomicglobalization'sdetrimentalef fectsonhumanrights(Richards&Gelleny ,2016).Thearticle"EconomicGlobalisationandHumanRights"discussestheintricateconnectionbetweeneconomicglobalization,allhumanrights,andglobalpoliticalrealism.Theauthorsdrawattentiontotheconflictsthatresultwhenrealistviewpointsandconcernsabouthumanrightscollide,creatingdif ficultiesindefendingandadvancinghumanrightsineconomicglobalization.T oovercometheseissues,thepaperemphasizesthenecessityofenforcedprocesses,improvedaccountability ,andcivilsocietyengagement.Amorejustandlong-lastinginternationalordercanbeestablishedbybridgingthehumanrightsandpoliticalrealismgaps.Acknowledgingthateconomicconcernsshouldnotcomebeforethedefenceandadvancementofhumanrightsiscritical.Societiesmayworktowardsamoreequitableandinclusiveworldbyputtinghumanrightsfirstinthecontextofeconomicglobalization.ReferenceHessler ,K.(2005).ResolvingInterpretiveConflictsinInternationalHumanRightsLaw*.JournalofPoliticalPhilosophy,13(1),29-52.https://doi.or g/10.1111/j.1467-9760.2005.00212.xSmith,R.K.M.(2013).HumanRightsPoliticsandPractice.OxfordUniversityPress.https://www .oxfordpoliticstrove.com/display/10.1093/hepl/9780198708766.001.0001/hepl-9780198708766Richards,D.,&Gelleny ,R.(2016-03-31).13.EconomicGlobalizationandHumanRights.InHumanRights:PoliticsandPractice.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress.Retrieved31Jul.2023,fromhttps://www .oxfordpoliticstrove.com/view/10.1093/hepl/9780198708766.001.0001/hepl-9780198708766-chapter -13.Dunne,T .,&Hanson,M.(2016).Humanrightsininternationalrelations.InTheOxfordHandbookofInternationalRelations(2nded.,pp.533-549).OxfordUniversityPress.Baynes,K.(2019).T owardapoliticalconceptionofhumanrights.UniversityofChicagoPress.https://philpapers.or g/rec/BAYTAP-2