Essay about Realism and the Significance of the Human...

Realism and the Significance of the Human Rights Norm With rampant violation of the human rights norm, are norms relevant in international politics? What significance do they hold if they do not inform policy decisions? Can anything be done in order to strengthen the normative element of human rights protection on a large scale? Constructivists declare that norms, principles, regimes or ideas are important factors at play in the international system mitigating pure self-interest and power politics that dictate behavior, as per the dominant realist worldview. However, to what extent norms actually influence decision-making is the true test to the relevance of constructivist arguments. Are norms and ideas affecting state interests in†¦show more content†¦Beyond the academic, rhetorical realist-constructivist distinction in this discussion of norms, there may be larger implications for the human rights movement and any notion of advancement it hopes to make. I will begin by taking a broad look at constructivist contributions by examining the role that norms are ideally supposed to take in international affairs; theoretically how these ideational variables are situated in the landscape of realism. From here I will plunge into the field of human rights protection, briefly trace its foundations and determine what position it holds today. Given an understanding of what norms should be and the changes that the human rights norm, specifically, aims at implementing, I will move to a thorough investigation into why states constantly and without remorse violate this international standard. This investigation will take the form of an evaluation within realism of material interests and the cost-benefit analysis associated with decision-making. It will be supplemented with a look at the successful, human rights-style norm of racial equality and, more specifically, the international movement to end South African apartheid. In terms of adding to the d iscourse of norms, I propose a deeper discussion of the internalization of norms and the necessary interaction between domestic and international politics in recognizing the potential for real change. Hopefully, this will provideShow MoreRelatedHow Images View International Politics2025 Words   |  9 Pagesinvolve – realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Realism, however, provides a near-perfect example in expounding international politics, despite some flaws. Realism Realism remains the preponderant theory to explain the iniquitous state of international politics. Until today, realism provides a veritable nature of politics involving conflict over cooperation. It consists of some assumptions. First, states inhabit an international system of anarchy (Viotti Kauppi, 2011). Realism espouses theRead MoreEssay on The Strengths and Weaknesses of International Law2091 Words   |  9 Pagesviolates human rights of the citizens and extended intervention is required (Kegley, 259), latter claims that the state sovereignty is the central assumption of this theoretical framework (Kegley, 28) and the actions that might infringe it are not legitimate. 2011 military intervention in Libya, intended to cease Gaddafi’s regime (UNSC), can demonstrate both of these perspectives. Moreover, it particularly highlights the presence of peacemaking actors’ responsibility to protect the human rights of civiliansRead MoreEssay Is Thucydides a Realist2624 W ords   |  11 PagesThe human condition and its significance to International Relations have been in debate for centuries. Classical Realist thought has focused on the inherently aggressive and selfish nature of man and assumed that it is these qualities that ensure war and conflict are inevitable aspects of human society. Alternatively, neo-realism emphasises the system structure of international politics. R.J. McShea discusses the significance of the human nature tradition throughout the study of international relationsRead MoreInternational Law Is The Violation Of National Law Throws A Nation Into Social Anomalies1713 Words   |  7 PagesHowever, it is seen that drones attacks have threatened the norms of sovereignty of different independent countries; it is an important matter of concern. The legitimacy of drone strikes is also questioned. Many questions regarding the drone strikes are coming in, it has made a situation of dilemma, paradox and intricacies. Thus, the jurisp rudential panorama needs to be revisited to overcome the legal loopholes from the perspective of legal realism. The paper will explore the implications and long termRead MoreFeminism and Constructivism: A Comparison2645 Words   |  11 Pagesthrough three major debates and as such, IR ideas were traditionally dominated by the perspectives of realism, idealism and behaviouralism . Criticisms leveled by critical theorists, combined with the end of the Cold War and a generational change, led to the displacement of established axes of debate by a new constructivist approach to IR literature . Rooted in sociology, constructivism is about human consciousness and the role of this feature in international life . Dominant rationalist theories makeRead MoreDifferences between: Legal, Moral and Customary Rights Details on various NGOs that protect and define human rights.1547 Words   |  7 PagesCustomary Rights. A legal right is one that is enforceable by law. Any citizen and can discover these rights. They can validly be argued in court and generally take preference to other rights. Moral rights are those that particular groups believe are right and just. They are generally derived from religion and reflect the values and attitudes of the group that holds them. Usually the moral rights held by the majority of the population are closely reflected in their legal rights. Moral rights vary dependingRead MoreJan Aart Scholte - Globalization Chapter 42362 Words   |  10 Pagesmost elementary level, a result of ‘natural’ human desires for economic welfare and political liberty. As such, increased transplanetary connectivity is ultimately derived from human drives to maximize material well-being (through markets) and to exercise basic freedoms (as guaranteed by publicly accountable government). For liberalists globalization is an outcome of people’s strivings to escape poverty as well as to achieve civil and political rights. On a liberalist account it is inherent in marketRead MoreEssay on Like water for chocolate6961 Words   |  28 PagesLike W ater for Chocolate ~Laura Esquivel~ Ms. Diamond Name_________________________________ Magical Realism At about the middle of the 19th century (when scientific objectivity became â€Å"vogue†), the influence of many social forces caused aesthetic taste to change from romantic idealism to realism. Many writers felt that romantics—with their focus on the spiritual, the abstract, and the ideal—were being dishonest about life as it really was. The realists felt they had an ethical responsibilityRead MoreCultural Anthropology : An Understanding Of Humanity s Greatest Medicine1795 Words   |  8 PagesAs the common saying states, â€Å"a laugh has no accent†. Laughter from sincere humor is one of humanity’s greatest medicine. Its origin is as ancient as human gestures, and has transformed how one looks at the world. For example, ancient writers used this device to criticize societal norms. During Medieval Times, jokers made a profession out of this human characteristic. Humor survived up until modern times and is present in academia. A field that explores the manners in which humor makes an interestingRead MoreNegative Influence Of Huck Finn1360 Words   |  6 Pagesupsetting, and bringing back the past. According to Booth, The way Mark Twain portrays Jim is so offensive to me that I get angry in class, and I can’t get all those liberal white kids to understand why I am angry. What’s more, I don’t think it’s right to subject students, black or white, to the many distorted views of race on which that book is based. No, it’s not the word ‘nigger’ I’m objecting to, it’s the whole range of assumptions about slavery and its consequences, and about how whites should