lecture recording on 27 February 2025 at 15.10.52 PM

Announcements

• Exam Postponement

  • Exam 3 is rescheduled from March 6 to March 11.

  • Additional time provided for studying Human Rights and the Global Environment.

  • Custom material may replace the last chapter on the future of world politics due to time constraints.

  • Focus will remain on transnational politics, including international law, human rights, and the global environment.

  • Last class may be a review session.

Course Structure Updates

• Final Exam Information

  • Date: March 20, 7 PM to 10 PM.

  • Format: Cumulative, covering all material from Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3.

  • Encouragement to engage with the Canvas discussion board for grade improvement.

Review of Transnational Politics

• Key Concepts

  • Transnational Advocacy Networks (TANs): groups of NGOs and activists across borders working on various issues (environmental, labor rights).

  • Role of TANs:

    • Change norms and press governments to adopt more humane policies

    • Introduce relevant information to public debates

    • Example: Shift in perceptions regarding single-use plastics.

  • Norms Life Cycle

    • Stage 1: Norm entrepreneurs build critical mass.

    • Stage 2: Norm cascade; once adopted widely, norms influence state behaviors.

    • Stage 3: Internalization; norms become common practice.

Importance of Norms

• Norms influence political actions, perceptions of morality, and state behaviors regarding human rights.

• Change in social norms over time can lead to significant societal advancements.

Human Rights Overview

• Definition: Human Rights are universal rights inherent to all individuals, independent of citizenship or status.

• Historical Context:

  • Concept of universal human rights was solidified post-World War II with the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

• Types of Human Rights:

  • Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): freedom from torture, right to life, etc.

  • Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): right to education, living wage, etc.

Human Rights Violations

• Reasons for violations include:

  • Lack of Capacity: States unable to provide for all rights due to economic or political weakness.

  • National Security: Rights may be suppressed in the name of security during crises.

  • Power Retention: Governments may violate rights to suppress dissent and maintain authority.

Non-Derogable Rights

• Key rights considered universal and cannot be suspended under any circumstances include:

  • Legal identity, protection from torture, and freedom of conscience.

Conclusion

• There is a consensus among states regarding the necessity of human rights.

• Continuous progress is reliant on international cooperation and public advocacy.

• The understanding and protection of human rights are critical in modern world politics.