4.4 - Debates on Rights & Justice

Despite the UDHR, a significant despite persists between the richest and poorest with a global capitalist system

Communitarianism:

Human identities are shaped by communities and should inform moral and political judgements

Universalism:

Certain ideas are universally applicable (despite cultural differences)

Cultural Relativism:

Beliefs and practices are understood based on one's culture

Exceptionalism:

One group is held to different standards than others

Non-western (indigenous, Confucian, Asian, etc) ideas focus on collective over individual rights

Democracy is seen as essential for human rights

Autocracy conflicts with democratic norms

Populist Movements:

using rights and justice for political gain – often opposing norms

Retrogressive Policies:

Governments regressing certain rights and progressing others. Creates tension in political agendas and human rights commitments

Global Timeline:

TimeLine of rights that have been politicized globally

Dark web

Used for illegal activities, and secure platform for activists. Can pose risks to rights and justice

Internet Shutdowns

Governments stopping organization of online protests, an issue of digital authoritarianism

Collective Rights

Protect indigenous people and minorities – hard to implement and define fairly

Rights of Nature

legal recognition of nature's / ecosystems rights

Hate crimes are motivated by bias against social or cultural groups