Human Rights in US Foreign Policy

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Human Rights in US Foreign Policy by Sonja Meyer, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sonja Meyer ISBN: 9783640186938
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: October 14, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Sonja Meyer
ISBN: 9783640186938
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: October 14, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: A, University of Otago (New Zealand - University of Otago), 16 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The traumatic experience of World War II led to an international consensus on the need of a universal framework protecting the rights of each individual and the integrity of communities. The United States having been largely isolationist before the War entered the World stage and took a substantial part in the formulation of human rights. Against the background of the Cold War the institutionalization of a common framework was everything but easy. In retrospect it seems that the American commitment to human rights is ambivalent. On the one hand American rhetoric constantly uses human rights as a legitimating moral claim, on the other hand it stays in its exceptionalist tradition and sees itself not to be in need of any international supervision. To understand the gap between ideal and reality, the concept of American exceptionalism needs to be examined. How does this conception affect the political culture in the USA and how can we explain this sense of superiority? Another question will be the legitimacy of this belief and the rationale that drives policy makers to perpetuate this notion. To evaluate the commitment to human rights in foreign policy, it will be necessary to have a look at the different administrations and their attitude toward human rights. They all face institutional constraints in policy decision making so that even if there is a 'real' commitment to human rights, it is not enough that the president himself endorses such a framework. Similarly, there are other national interests that can trump moral considerations which was especially evident during the Cold War. Special events and public opinions as well as ideological beliefs of the main actors strongly influence the place of human rights in the hierarchy of preferences. Even though good intentions can be identified in some administrations, the commitment to human rights in US foreign policy remains rather marginal and serves merely as a legitimating rhetoric. This affect not only the credibility of the United States itself but the validity of the whole concept of universal human rights.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: USA, grade: A, University of Otago (New Zealand - University of Otago), 16 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The traumatic experience of World War II led to an international consensus on the need of a universal framework protecting the rights of each individual and the integrity of communities. The United States having been largely isolationist before the War entered the World stage and took a substantial part in the formulation of human rights. Against the background of the Cold War the institutionalization of a common framework was everything but easy. In retrospect it seems that the American commitment to human rights is ambivalent. On the one hand American rhetoric constantly uses human rights as a legitimating moral claim, on the other hand it stays in its exceptionalist tradition and sees itself not to be in need of any international supervision. To understand the gap between ideal and reality, the concept of American exceptionalism needs to be examined. How does this conception affect the political culture in the USA and how can we explain this sense of superiority? Another question will be the legitimacy of this belief and the rationale that drives policy makers to perpetuate this notion. To evaluate the commitment to human rights in foreign policy, it will be necessary to have a look at the different administrations and their attitude toward human rights. They all face institutional constraints in policy decision making so that even if there is a 'real' commitment to human rights, it is not enough that the president himself endorses such a framework. Similarly, there are other national interests that can trump moral considerations which was especially evident during the Cold War. Special events and public opinions as well as ideological beliefs of the main actors strongly influence the place of human rights in the hierarchy of preferences. Even though good intentions can be identified in some administrations, the commitment to human rights in US foreign policy remains rather marginal and serves merely as a legitimating rhetoric. This affect not only the credibility of the United States itself but the validity of the whole concept of universal human rights.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The unity effect in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book The Role of the Underwriter in the Initial Public Offering Process by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book International marketing entry strategy for the Red//Green Company by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book An investigation of the impact of Basel II on the improvement in risk management practice globally by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book How America's Allies Perceive U.S. Primacy - A Neorealistic Approach with Focus on the Latest Iraq War by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Bilingualism: A Key to Success in the U.S.A by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book The Other from a Symbolic Interactionsist Perspective - The Unemployed by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Is it good enough to eat? Teaching English for Gastronomy from an Intercultural Perspective by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book La Metafisica dell'Arte attraverso l'Opera di Richard Wagner by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Die Bilanzierung latenter Steuern nach HGB und IAS by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Gruppenarbeit im Politikunterricht by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Teaching pronunciation. The role of the native speaker by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Most organisations can only have a rhetorical commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book IKEA. Success and Problems of a Swedish Concept by Sonja Meyer
Cover of the book Comparative analysis of political systems of Lebanon and Switzerland by Sonja Meyer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy