Dec 10 Notes

since they counter each other, can be used for claims / counter claims

Universalism: Concept that ideas have universal application or applicability, or that we can establish things that are true for all people at all times regardless of cultural differences

there are certain rights all people have simply because they are human. No exceptions and a person cannot give up those rights or have them taken away for any reason

argue that adapting change based on culture allows for oppression of marginalized people to continue

UNHDR is an example of universality

Cultural relativism: Idea that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture. Proponents of cultural relativism also tend to argue that the norms and values of one culture should not be evaluated using the norms and values of another

there is no absolute good or bad, it is dependent on cultural context

universality is inherently Western in values and nature. Must consider the cultural and historical context

Exceptionalism: The idea that one group of people should be held to different standard than other groups

cultural relativism is linked to  this idea – often associated with authoritarian rule by individual states / within regions. Often little space or is dangerous to express opposing views to religious / political norms.

can come from religious standards

some laws to protect certain indigenous groups as a form of this

can be either positive or negative depending on how it is applied

If made to make a group act in impunity - can be harmful

race, religion, ancestral roots, etc.

to protect a group's livelihood / safety - can be positive

Ex. Hunting / Fishing regulations, times of year or seasons where not allowed to hunt lobsters and eels due to scarcity. Exceptions are miq'ma population. Had historically established treaties  

Communitarianism: The idea that human identities are largely shaped by different kinds of constitutive communities (or social relations) and that this conception of human nature should inform our moral and political judgements as well as policies and institutions

Individual is less important than the group

since part of a culture, should have values based on cumulative positive of the culture

Ex. China, Counter Ex. US

Confucian rights and justice, Islamic rights and justice, Indigenous rights and justice, Asian values

extreme individualism leads to harm – gun rights, anti vaccine. 

 

Question to ask: Who holds power in human rights – some more protected than others since they have power