Purpose
Human rights, as united in the UDHR, have been thought of, as well as practised, contrary to such envisaged principles at times. This analysis delves into the issues of achievements and stumbling blocks that the world has encountered in pursuit of a social and global system based on human rights since the middle of the 20th century and the first two decades of the 21st century. Embarking on the discussion below, the liberation/ decolonization and human developmental themes as the frameworks will be explained with the aim of expounding on the regional variations of this very delicate subject. This essay shows that the somewhat complicated nature of the universality of human rights mainly influences anthropological realities, while idealistic concepts are often found to be aside from the real world by looking at different historical events and situations.
Synthesis: Liberation/Decolonization
The theme of liberation/decolonization is very important in understanding whether progress was made slowly or rapidly. Haitian Declaration of Independence in 1804 brilliantly captures the national fight for their liberation and the rebellion against colonial powers, which are equivalent to the University Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The proposition of French liberty or death and the disclaiming of French subjugation in the Declaration form a part of an attempt to get rid of such society and its inequalities, though the UDHR’s, as a well-known fact, yearning for a freed and equal society. The work of Gaffield et al. placed Haiti as the first colony to free itself from French rule, which, contrary to colonial expectations, led to her emancipation and marked the beginning of the often referred to autonomy/self-rule, a right that is also recognized as a basic human right today (Gaffield et al. 244).
Another liberation movement was illustrated in Latin America and related to the Cuban revolution. Sandinistas connected to socio-politics and religion, mapping socio-political and religious motivations underlying the struggle for people’s rights and sovereignty (“Liberation in Latin America”). The campaigns in themselves stand up against the inadequacy and unfairness existing locally and globally, framing it as basic human aspiration regardless of the geographic or time issue.
Similarly, the Nicaraguan Revolution contributed to underlining how crucial women’s participation is in fighting dictatorships and that the uprising against political injustices is mainly a joint struggle for liberation and transformation of society (García et al. 35). This tale explicates the equality principle and the joint right of people to make decisions on their own, as underlined in Article 1 of the UDHR. In this way, it is very illustrative of the mutuality among the struggle movements for liberation and human rights.
Synthesis: Development
The Development theme resorts to human rights, reaffirming economic, social, and political conduct as necessary for rights realization. The United Nations decolonization slides show the role of the United Nations since 1945 as a champion of economic development, health, workers’ rights, environmental preservation, and gender equity, among others, in the overall pursuit of human rights (Decolonization Slides). Through this program, the world community demonstrates that the concept of development has multifaceted contents, including, for example, a growing economy and the improvement of people’s standard of living in every country of the world. Democratic rule postulates that the only appropriate managers of the nation’s resources are elected officials and public servants. The democratic ceiling is particularly evident in those countries where citizens have fought long and hard to either overthrow despotic regimes or entrench their obedience to legitimately elected public servants (Nakamura 25). However, the era of fast industrialization contributes to both economic development and modernization. Plus, it becomes a starting point for the critical analysis of the question of workers’ rights and social equity – the foundations of the guaranteed world order, which is in the spirit of the UDHR.
Moreover, the factories that served in the growth of the industrial cities in South China show how complicated the development is when placed in the context of globalization and economic expansion. The economic growth achieved by these advancements poses an additional challenge to labour rights and the environment; the balanced approach – the priority of human well-being – requires to be taken into account, not only economic objectives (Stefan Al et al. 15).
Reflection
Examining the themes of Decolonization and Development, I found that the road towards human rights-based social and international order is full of hurdles. The consolidation of inequality, ongoing conflicts, and environmental challenges notwithstanding, the simple truth is that a huge gap still exists between human rights ideals and their global realization. However, those themes represent a pattern for progress as well by focusing on the issues of self-determination, inclusive development and global cooperation. I agree that contemporary human rights issues like the refugee crises and the battle against systematic racism can inspire lessons from past civil rights struggles and current efforts for achieving social equity. These examples, both past and present, highlight the importance of continuous advocacy, policy reform and international solidarity, which will help humanity aim higher to reach the goal that was formulated in Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in creating a just world.
To sum up, the journey towards a social and international structure that fully mediates human rights principles is continual. The cases of Haiti, Nicaragua, Japan, and China, though different, are representative of both the achievements and obstacles that are still being overcome. Moreover, the wisdom of the UDHR era human rights principles should act as guidelines in addressing current problems of human rights violations within the context of our world today, where equality and justice for all people are a priority.
Works Cited
“Decolonization Slides.” Decolonization and the New Imperialism.
“Liberation in Latin America.” Liberation Theology and Political Movements.
Al, Stefan, et al., editors. Factory Towns of South China 華南工廠城: An Illustrated Guidebook. Hong Kong University Press, 2012. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2jc10p. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024. Pg 13-23.
GAFFIELD, JULIA, editor. The Haitian Declaration of Independence: Creation, Context, and Legacy. University of Virginia Press, 2016. Pg; 240–247. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt18kcvjm. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
García, Martín Meráz, Martha L. Cottam, and Bruno M. Baltodano.(chapter 3;Women in the FSLN) The Role of Female Combatants in the Nicaraguan Revolution and Counter Revolutionary War. Routledge, 2019. pg;33–63.
Nakamura, Naofumi. “Reconsidering the Japanese industrial revolution: Local entrepreneurs in the cotton textile industry during the Meiji Era.” Social Science Japan Journal 18.1 2015: 23–44.
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