Global Politics Term 2 Study Guide

Cultural Relativism

The view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context from which they are derived, asserting that cultures differ fundamentally from one another, leading to varying moral frameworks within societies.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A milestone document in human rights history, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, setting out fundamental human rights to be universally protected, emphasizing justice, liberty, and equality.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others, often leading to discriminatory practices or legislation favoring one culture over another.

Human Rights

Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or social status, encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Separation of Powers

A system of government where distinct branches (executive, legislative, judiciary) are separate, ensuring a balance of power and preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.

Responsibility to Protect

Legal concept allowing states to intervene in other states to protect individuals at risk of harm, emphasizing the duty to prevent and halt mass atrocities.

Collective Human Rights

Rights held by groups based on identified group characteristics, ensuring protection and recognition of group-specific rights.

Judicial

Connected to or guaranteed by the legal aspects of a government system, ensuring legal protection and enforcement of rights.

Empowerment

The ability for citizens to be involved in decision-making processes, enhancing participation and influence in governance.

Injustice

A situation where individuals are treated unfairly and denied their rights, highlighting the violation of fundamental human rights.

Cultural relativism

Belief that each culture determines what is right or wrong.

Absence of absolute truths

Idea that cultural relativism stems from the belief that there are no absolute truths or objective morality.

Different moral standards

Notion that different cultures have varying moral standards.

Sati

Hindu widow-burning custom in India.

William Carey

Christian missionary who campaigned against Sati.

Secular dilemma

Cultural relativism poses a dilemma for secular individuals.

Child marriages

Example of the conflict between feminism and cultural relativism.

Undermining universal human rights

Cultural relativism undermines the possibility of universal human rights if there are no absolute truths transcending culture.

Real-life examples challenge cultural relativism

Practices like Sati, child marriages, and Female Genital Mutilation expose the limitations of cultural relativism.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Established to take action against atrocious crimes with global support.

Court of last resort

The ICC prosecutes individuals for serious crimes if governments fail to do so.

Symbol of hope

The ICC represents hope for victims of atrocities.

Independent and impartial

The ICC operates independently from governments and the UN Security Council.

Victim-centered Court

Victims of grave crimes can participate in ICC proceedings and receive reparations.

Equality before the law

The ICC allows bringing all individuals, including leaders, to justice for international crimes.

Progress in justice

The ICC has made significant progress in holding high-level perpetrators accountable.

Prevention of crimes

ICC investigations and prosecutions contribute to preventing serious crimes.

Access to justice

The ICC increases access to justice for victims of grave crimes.

Involvement of states in governance

States have an equal vote in shaping the future of international criminal justice through the ICC.

Selective justice

Criticism of the ICC for its selective focus on African cases and potential political influences.

ICC Criticisms

Selectivity, damaging peace process, imposing European justice model on Africans

ICC Communications

Received 240 regarding Iraq invasion, no investigation initiated

ICC Ignored Crimes

Western security companies in Iraq

ICC Non-Pursuit

Cases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza, Occupied Territories in Palestine

ICC Impartiality

Questioned in Uganda

ICC vs

Different approaches in Uganda-DRCongo conflict

REDRESS

"Fighting for a world without torture"

REDRESS Criticisms

Funding constraints, limited systemic impact

REDRESS Successes

Aksoy V. Turkey case, UN OPCAT act contribution

MSF Criticisms

Political neutrality, neglecting regions, lack of worker safety action

MSF Successes

Ebola outbreak response, AIDS/HIV programs, surgical interventions