IB Global Politics Topic Understanding Human Rights Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Global Politics Topic Understanding Human Rights Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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The Evolution of Human Rights

Natural Rights: Rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, these are rights believed to be inherent to all humans, regardless of laws or governments.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted by the UN in 1948, it established a global standard for human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Note

UDHR: Legal Status and Impact
- Not legally binding: As a declaration, the UDHR has no legal force but holds strong moral authority.
- Inspired key treaties: Forms the basis of major binding treaties like the ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, and CRC.
- Influenced national law: Many constitutions and legal systems reflect UDHR principles.
- Global standard: Serves as a foundation for the modern human rights framework and promotes a universal vision of rights.

Positive and Negative Rights

Positive rights: Require action by authorities (e.g. govts) to be fulfilled.
1. Examples: Right to education, healthcare, legal defense.
2. UDHR: Article 11 (presumption of innocence), Article 26 (right to education).
Negative rights: Require others (especially the state) not to interfere.
1. Examples: Right to privacy, free movement, property.
2. UDHR: Article 3 (life and liberty), Article 5 (freedom from torture).
Interdependence: In practice, both types often coexist.
1. Example: Protecting prisoners from abuse (positive) supports their right to safety (negative).

Example

Positive Right
- Right to education
- Requires the state to provide schools, trained teachers, and accessible learning materials.
- Found in UDHR Article 26.
Negative Right
- Right to freedom of expression
- Requires the state not to censor or punish individuals for their opinions.
- Found in UDHR Article 19.
Interdependence
- Right to a fair trial (UDHR Article 10–11)
- Negative aspect: State must not interfere with due legal process (e.g. no arbitrary detention).
- Positive aspect: State must actively provide legal representation, a public hearing, and impartial judges.
- Shows how both types of rights must work together to fully protect justice.

Three Generations of Human Rights

(Concept introduced by Karel Vasak in the 1970s, rooted in revolutions and Western traditions)

First Generation: Liberty (Civil & Political Rights)

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The Evolution of Human Rights

Natural Rights: Rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, these are rights believed to be inherent to all humans, regardless of laws or governments.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Adopted by the UN in 1948, it established a global standard for human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Note

UDHR: Legal Status and Impact
- Not legally binding: As a declaration, the UDHR has no legal force but holds strong moral authority.
- Inspired key treaties: Forms the basis of major binding treaties like the ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, and CRC.
- Influenced national law: Many constitutions and legal systems reflect UDHR principles.
- Global standard: Serves as a foundation for the modern human rights framework and promotes a universal vision of rights.

Positive and Negative Rights

Positive rights: Require action by authorities (e.g. govts) to be fulfilled.
1. Examples: Right to education, healthcare, legal defense.
2. UDHR: Article 11 (presumption of innocence), Article 26 (right to education).
Negative rights: Require others (especially the state) not to interfere.
1. Examples: Right to privacy, free movement, property.
2. UDHR: Article 3 (life and liberty), Article 5 (freedom from torture).
Interdependence: In practice, both types often coexist.
1. Example: Protecting prisoners from abuse (positive) supports their right to safety (negative).

Example

Positive Right
- Right to education
- Requires the state to provide schools, trained teachers, and accessible learning materials.
- Found in UDHR Article 26.
Negative Right
- Right to freedom of expression
- Requires the state not to censor or punish individuals for their opinions.
- Found in UDHR Article 19.
Interdependence
- Right to a fair trial (UDHR Article 10–11)
- Negative aspect: State must not interfere with due legal process (e.g. no arbitrary detention).
- Positive aspect: State must actively provide legal representation, a public hearing, and impartial judges.
- Shows how both types of rights must work together to fully protect justice.

Three Generations of Human Rights

(Concept introduced by Karel Vasak in the 1970s, rooted in revolutions and Western traditions)

First Generation: Liberty (Civil & Political Rights)

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

IB Global Politics Understanding Human Rights Notes

Core: Understanding power and global politics6 subtopics

Rights and Justice4 subtopics

Development and Sustainability4 subtopics

Peace and Conflict4 subtopics

Assessment Guides4 subtopics

IA Engagement Project1 subtopic

The Evolution of Human Rights

Positive and Negative Rights

Three Generations of Human Rights

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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The Evolution of Human Rights

Positive and Negative Rights

Three Generations of Human Rights

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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