Rights & Justice Global Politics Vocab (copy) (copy)

Equality

All people hold equal worth. (Voting age of 18 for all US Citizens)

Equity

Fair access to resources, opportunities, and justice for all. (Extra tutoring programs for underfunded schools)

Negative Liberty

Freedom from coercion; not being forced to act against one's will. (Freedom of speech protections in democratic countries)

Positive Liberty

Ability for people to do what they want. (Government funded public education systems)

Justice

Principles governing fair treatment of individuals or groups in society. (Criminal trials for war crimes in international courts)

Rights

Basic entitlements inherent to all humans, requiring state protection and promoting equality. (Right to vote in national elections)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A document defining essential human entitlements and obligations, shaping how human rights are understood globally. (Used to criticize China's treatment of Uyghurs)

Civil Rights

A citizen's rights to political and social freedoms and equality. (Black lives matter movement)

Civil Liberties

Fundamental, legally protected rights that limit government power. (Freedom of religion protected in the U.S. constitution)

Legal rights

Rights of individuals or groups established and guaranteed by law. (Right to a lawyer when arrested).

Social Rights

Rights to social and welfare provisions for all citizens. (Universal healthcare in Canada)

Economic Rights

Rights to earn a living, acquire property, and produce goods/services. (Minimum wage laws)

Political rights

Rights allowing citizens to participate in politics, including voting and holding office. (Right to run for public office)

Cultural and solidarity rights

Right to participate in your community's cultural life. (Protection of Native American languages)

Non-binding International law

Agreements with political or moral commitments, but not legally enforceable. (UN General Assembly resolutions)

Natural rights

Rights all humans are born with. (John Locke's idea of life, liberty, and property)

Positive rights

Rights requiring authorities to take action and provide support. (Government-provided unemployment benefits)

Negative rights

Rights respected when those in power refrain from certain actions. (Freedom from unlawful arrest)

First generation rights

civil and political rights that protect individual freedom and participation in government. (freedom of speech)

Second generation rights

Economic, social, and cultural rights, such as fair working conditions or housing. (right to education)

Third generation rights

Collective rights for communities and nations, addressing globalization. (right to a clean environment)

Collective rights

Rights belonging to groups or communities. (indigenous land ownership rights)

Universality of Rights

All actors are treated with the same consideration, assuming equal rights. (Global opposition to child labor)

cultural relativism

Belief that right and wrong are determined by a community's unique moral codes. (same gender mariage ban in malaysia)

Social justice

Minimizing inequalities for people within a region, state, or globally. (Advocacy for equal pay for women)

Political justice

Ensuring equal treatment of all groups before the law and fair power in decision-making. (Fair and free elections monitored internationally)

Egalitarian justice

Focuses on social justice and treating everyone with equal respect and dignity. (Progressive taxation(higher taxes for the wealthy))

cosmopolitan Justice

Egalitarian justice extended globally, often through international organizations. (International climate agreements like the Paris accord)

Ecological Justice

Concern for the environment's state and its impact on human health and well-being. (Laws protecting communities affected by pollution)

Zulu Ubuntu

The idea that community is society's essential building block. (South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission)

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The UN's main judicial organ, settling state disputes and advising on international law. (South Africa V. Israel case (2024-present))

International Criminal Court (ICC)

First permanent international court prosecuting individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. (Charges against Vladimir Putin)

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

Council working to ensure people know and can use their human rights. (Investigations into Myanmar's military)

UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)

Global organization protecting refugees, displaced people, and stateless individuals. (Aid to Syrian refugees)

Regional human rights tribunals

IGOs enforcing human rights within specific regions. (European Court of Human Rights rulings)

Human rights civil society organizations

Voluntary groups formed to achieve common human rights goals. (Amnesty International)

Marginalized populations

People perceived as 'different' due to social identities, often denied basic rights and justice. (LGTBQ+ communities in restrictive countries)

Vulnerable populations

Marginalized people denied basic rights and access due to various social or economic statuses. (Children in war zones like Gaza or Ukraine)

Codification of rights

Providing a formal, legal framework to protect and enforce rights and justice. (Human rights written into national constitutions)

International Humanitarian Law

Rules limiting harm during armed conflicts, minimizing damage by states. (Geneva Conventions governing war conduct)

Human rights treaties

Legally binding international agreements where states uphold human rights standards. (Convention on the rights of the child)

Human Rights Monitoring

Systematic observation and assessment of a state's human rights compliance. (UN reports on North Korea)

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Idea that intervention in a state may be necessary during extreme human rights catastrophes. (International response discussions on Sudan)

Humanitarian Intervention

The use of military force for humanitarian purposes. (NATO intervention in Kosovo)

Sanctions

Used by states or IGOs to force behavioral changes in a target. (Economic sanctions on Russia)

Indigenous Rights

Rights of native groups with a long history on their land. (Land pipeline protests by the Standing Rock Sioux)

Sharia Law

Meaning 'correct path' from the Quran, interpreted differently by religious leaders and political systems. (Family law courts in parts of Saudi Arabia)