Notes for Competing Global Perspectives on Human Rights - IB | RevisionDojo
Competing Global Perspectives on Human Rights Notes
Competing Global Perspectives on Human Rights
Relativism vs Universalism
Cultural Relativism vs. Universalism
1. Universality
All people are entitled to the same rights simply by being human.
Supported by the UN, UDHR, and NGOs like Amnesty International.
Universalists argue that culture should not be used to justify oppression (e.g. of women or Indigenous peoples).
They reject claims that universal rights are "Western", noting the UDHR’s diverse drafting committee.
Case study
France’s Ban on the Burqa (2010)
Explanation:
France enforced a nationwide ban on full-face veils in public spaces under the principle of secularism and gender equality — grounded in universal human rights.
However, the UN Human Rights Committee ruled in 2018 that the ban violated women’s rights to religious freedom and expression under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Key point:Universalists argued that no cultural or religious practice should infringe on individual rights such as freedom of expression or gender equality.
2. Cultural Relativism
Belief that rights should reflect cultural context and vary between societies.
Emphasizes that moral frameworks differ, and rights should not override local customs.
Critics argue universalism imposes Western values and undermines cultural autonomy.
Case study
Asia’s Rejection of LGBT Rights at the UN (2016–present)
Explanation:
Countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia rejected UN resolutions promoting LGBT+ rights, arguing they conflicted with local religious and cultural norms.
These states invoked cultural relativism to defend their anti-LGBT+ laws, asserting that human rights must align with domestic moral frameworks rather than Western liberal norms.
Key point: Cultural relativists argue that applying Western norms universally ignores cultural diversity and may be seen as neo-colonialism.
Regional Human Rights Frameworks
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981)
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Questions
Recap questions
1 of 5
Question 1
Recap question
A multinational company notes that Country A allows unrestricted freedom of assembly, while Country B severely restricts it to maintain public order. Which factor best explains this difference?
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Note
Introduction to Human Rights
Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every person simply because they are human.
They are inherent, inalienable, and universal.
The modern concept of human rights was formalized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
DefinitionHuman Rights
Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.
Example
The right to freedom of expression allows individuals to share their opinions without fear of censorship or punishment.
Analogy
Think of human rights as a basic operating system for humanity - essential functions that everyone should have access to, regardless of where they are born.
