Human Rights the Golden Rule, Term Paper Example

Abstract

Human rights are perceptions whereby people have the expectation to be treated with respect and dignity due to the characteristics of just being human expressions. These embody social, spiritual and physical manifestations of the human condition. According to Maslow (1954) this human condition can be interpreted within the pyramid of basic human needs, which ought to be fulfilled for daily living to be sustained (Cianci& Gambrel, 2003). This presentation encompasses human rights from the premise that it is the golden rule. Consequently, this will be analyzed in its entirety showing relationships to other social psychological factors.It is also understood that communication techniques must be established when human rights are articulated because it is a culturally diverse issue. Besides, there are ethical elements relating human rights interpretation within groups of people in a society.

Psychology: Human Rights the Golden Rule

Introduction

The human rights concept emerged from events of the Second World War and holocaust. United Nations General Assembly was forced to proclaim a Universal Declaration in addressing the atrocities of these two intriguing occurrences in human history. They demonstrated that a desire for aligning the treatment of human expression to respect, dignity and honor universally irrespective of religion, race, ethnicity or merely a person’s belief system (Blattberg, 2010).

Definition of human rights

Human rights can therefore be defined from a universal as well as egalitarian perspective; universal in the sense that it is applicable everywhere humans are found on earth; egalitarian in that includes and the same for every human being. Other schools of thought have advanced that human rights is a moral language which specifies that humans ought to be treated as humans distinct from lower animals (Landman, 2006).

Further, arguments have been that a human rights definition must be inclusive of a person’s right to life and limitations regarding penalties instituted for crimes. While definitions and declarations have advanced treatment under normal circumstances it would appear that human rights are violated when people are accused or even convicted. A comprehensive definition or philosophy should extend beyond these boundaries and the right to trial free of prejudices and subjectivity ought to be re-enforced by definition and legislation.

The psychology of human rights

Implications regarding the psychology of human rights reflect an urge to ensure that polices established within declarations are given adherence where ever and whenever human interactions are undertaken. Psychologically, people who have been programed towards abusing the rights of others tend to continue their actions claiming lack of knowledge. Essentially, from a moral point of view there should be no legislations or declarations on how people ought to treat people. If someone wants to be treated in a certain wav then relate to a fellow human similarity (Melton, 2010)

However, psychological tendencies are to discriminate, subdue, exploit and degrade one’s human integrity as part the self-aggrandizement process.People who have been subject to eras of human rightsviolations have evidently become very sensitive to the abuse of others. The response could be abusing and violating another person’s rights. Psychologists have the tasks of establishing human rights as a golden rule in today’s society (Melton, 2010).

Importantly, psychologists’ articulate programs that provide equity, protection of human, legal, and moral rights.Psychologists’ codes of ethics across culturesreflect responsibilities to respect human dignity, their propriety, and integrity.  Ethical guidelines include providing psychological services to indigenous peoples who have been stripped of their humanness during discovery and settlement by Europeans in the new world era (Abouharb & Cingranelli, 2007).

Lesbians, gay, bisexual clients, children and older adultsare among the high risk groups either due to their difference or social maladjustment. The Universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists (2008) recognizes that psychology as a science and profession functions within the context of human society. Therefore, psychologists have a major role to play, in applying psychological knowledge to improve quality of life of families, groups, communities, and society as a whole (Abouharb &Cingranelli, 2007).

Thesis – Human Rights the Golden Rule

People must have equal opportunities tofair treatment in every aspect of life irrespective of race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender as well as access to social mobilitybeing an established golden rule for human rights execution.

Critical analysis of human rights

Human rights theories

Theorists are beginning to link human rights with religion because religion projects inconsistencies in the way governments react to human beings within a social structure. They contend that the human rights issue is a very complicated phenomenon, which theoretically cannot be resolved through legislations neither declarations (Besson & Zysette, 2012).

Further arguments are that human rights theory and human history are inseparable.

Historically, the search for moral standards through scrutiny by religious organizations began with philosophers such as Aristotle (360 BCE) who tried associating what was human natural right designated by God and nature. The confusion arose when it became apparent and God and nature were two different entities and there were separate specifications from both (Besson & Zysette, 2012).

These philosophers could not define human rights amidst inconsistencies towards humans by the ruling politic. However, more classical theorists such as Thomas Hobbes (1651) and Immanuel Khant (1651) contend that while God has distinct regulations for defining human rights maybe natural rightssupersede them. Their argument was that nature does provide a claim of entitlement which is natural and God might have nothing to do with it (Besson & Zysette, 2012).  In relating this notion to Maslow’s (1954)theory of basic human needs it could mean that thenatural concept pertain to low levels needs such as air, water, food and shelter from elements of nature (Cianci & Gambrel, 2003).

Contemporary theoretical perspectives turn attention towards natural rights as being socially related. It opens windows to viewing politicians and the social structure as mechanisms of human rights violation whereby religion/ God is used as basis of differential treatments. In the pursuit of justice these theorist have denounced the religious aspect of human rights. Alternatively, theorist such as Karl Marx (1860) has declared that all these human rights legislations are merely fabrications of a ruling class (Besson & Zysette, 2012).

The ruling class happens to be owners of wealth and executors of privileges. In no way would they pass wealth and privilege to humans who have been made to feel inadequate. Therefore, it is difficult to declare human rights in the world because historically there have been two major segments of humans; owners and workers. It is within this interchange of relationships that human rights are upheld or reprieved (Besson & Zysette, 2012).

Applications to modern society’s interpretation

Of human rights as the golden rule

These theories have significantly impacted modern societies to the extent that when religious philosophy infiltrates human integrity for right to equal opportunities discrimination issues surface. These elements emerge from a premise of prejudice. Human rights cannot be equitable distribution of goods and services within a society where structural inequality exists. As such inherent in human rights declarations are insidious strategies to keep it the same way for the benefit of a few.

Application to thesis

Application of human rights theories to this thesis is quite obvious. While it is true that People must have equal opportunities to fair treatment in every aspect of life irrespective of race culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and access to social mobility and this must be an established golden rule for human rights execution, it is difficult to attain.

Communication techniques in establishing human rights

Human rights techniques have been communicated through various international declarations. Among them are the United Nations Chatter; international treaties; international humanitarian laws and human rights defenders

United Nations Charter

The United Nations Charter communicates protection of human rights from the framework of a series of preamblingaffirmations. However, historically this has not removed social injustices internationally whereby women and children in certain societies are classified less than humans. Child labor and slavery is still evident among many African nations. Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world with Botswana next in the lead (Glendon, 2004).

Questions are whether affirming human rights is actually enforcing it. How is human rights defined by United Nations Charter? Is it inclusive of countries such as Botswana and Swaziland or the psychology of human rights is a developed world concept whereby the financially powerful are oppressing working class populations not only from the community level, but through discrete imperialistic strategies?

International treaties

International treaties pertain to covenants signed by countries holding them accountable for executing human rights within the society. However, social structures in most societies are not organized to execute social justice. There has been very little adherence to social justice in human rights regulations. As such, international treaties are again merely futile expressions of the elite. The oppressed voice ought to be validated through signing of treaties and covenants. In reality insidiouslywithin the transference of these policies is the desire to keep things the way they are.

The international humanitarian law

The international humanitarian law addressesrights of humans used in warfare such as soldiers. Prisoners of war during world were treated less than humans. These laws admit that this is so, but does not stimulate penalties for violations by nations engaged in warfare. Therefore, human right again is communicated only on paper.

Human Rights defenders.

Human rights defenders communicate to policy makers inclusive of politicians that the paperwork on this subject is just what it says. Translating what is written or deliberated into active reform or enactments among disadvantaged groups in society is still a major challenge.United Nations Charter claim to facilitate the execution of human rights. However, this articulation is communicated merely through free expression, assembly or association. True elements that hinder expression of human rights are still obscure. It makes the whole phenomenon a political playing field

Human rights and cultural diversity

Cultural diversity and its impact on human rights have considerably helped people from various ethnic and socio-economic dispensations to respect each other exclusively for the skills they bring to the universe. However, these are not without their tragedies of adjustments. A long standing dilemma surfaces when analysts try to interpret the universality of human rights as espoused in the United Nations Charter.

With reference again to Swaziland and Botswana the human rights protocol suggest that people residing within these territories have access to adequate healthcare as many others in the developed world. However, human rights mean something entirely different to what has been perpetuated by United Nations Charter. First these nation states never believed in an HIV/AIDS outbreak until 2003 when a large portion of their population had already died (Alston, 2005).

What aspect of the human rights policy advanced by United Nations Charter is applicable to this situation? Would it have been a human rights violation for World Health Organization to imprison political leaders for not taking necessary measures through their health care system in addressing this outbreak in their respective countries?

Herein the dilemma lies. Cultural relatively then has to take precedence. It could be interpreted that United Nation Human Right Charter is not comprehensive enough in regulating culturally relative attitudes and behavior. Analysts continue to contend that cultural relativity can undermine International Human Rights Laws if these aspects of culture have not been inculcated in the design (Alston, 2005).

Contemporary applications of International Human Rights Laws lack cultural relativity in its effectiveness. These are the human rights and cultural diversity issuesfrom a twenty first century view point. They are difficult to resolve. Resolution of cultural diversity issues clearly ought to be addressed from the perspective of cultural relativity.  In arriving at this point political leaders through a United Nations forum ought to conduct studies providing evidence for cultural relativity polices within human rights law. There is can be no universal human rights law in the world.

Ethical elements of human rights

A brief research of ethics revealed that it pertains to moral philosophy. Precisely, ethics revolve around validating a belief system; defending the premise and recommending to one’s self concepts, which can be considered right or wrong. Essentially, ethics can be designed from a personal moral conscience as well as a collective one. Ethics is diverse and relative to culture.

There are four major foundations of ethical conduct; namely meta ethics whereby one’s truth is established; normative when practical techniques are derived in determining a course of action; descriptive taking into account other beliefs concerning morality and applied ethics,which entails understanding how moral outcomes can be achieved across cultures (Sen, 2004).

Human rights ethics

Human rights ethics can then be ascribed to situations where morality forms the basis for decisions, actions and reactions. Ethics are not always legislated conduct. As such, often it is left to the individual’s conscience to be ethical based on another person’s belief system, which may be inconsistent with theirs. The interplay with human rights gathers momentum when actors are humans imposing beliefs/values on other humans who are equally capable of developing their own ethical premises to guide actions.

The paradox to human rights ethics is that inherent in these legislations are measures to develop social control within a framework of social order. Who decides what privileges individuals can have as against what are not available? Who defines how capable or incapable they are of thinking for themselves and arriving at their own ethical decisions? In society people live according to a social script, but are told that they can make decisions for themselves.

In fact people cannot be morally independent beings because they must operate within social boundaries. These parameters confine every human to a socially structured dilemma. The psychology of human rights ethics is designing a few laws that would show some concern for human suffering or mistreatment to satisfy the conscience of oppressors (Steinberg et.al, 2012)

This would initiate the oppressed to begin validating these artificial efforts thinking that authorities care and better days are coming. Overtime poverty has not been eradicated from the world, social injustices prevail; wars continue, slavery exists among poor nations and some 7,000 people are dying from AIDS in a Small County with less than a million people (Swaziland) every year in the midst of a Universal Charter for Human rights

Conclusion

People must have equal opportunities to fair treatment in every aspect of life irrespective of race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender as well as access to social mobility being an established golden rule for human rights execution. When relating this thesis to my findings  it is quite clear that human rights across the world and over centuries have a long way to go in understanding the golden rule philosophy.

Therefore, my assumption is that there has never been, there isn’t and will ever be any real human rights in the world unless people become free. Freedom is not written on scrolls of paper; legislated within laws or exhibited on computer/television programs. It is allowing people to understand that human rights is reducing structured inequalities in society, redeeming the masses from mental slavery and those who are physically enslaved punish their masters through periods of enslavement so that they can realize how it feels to be enslaved.

Precisely, it is opening doors of opportunities that are closed to nations through imperialistic attitudes.Accessibility to quality health care in America must be available to all tax payers. Quality health care must not be dispensed based on the type of insurance coverage. In my opinion this is the greatest violation to of human rights when a person is turned away from health care institutions due to lack of appropriate  health insurance. What is the United Nations Charter of Human Rights perspective on this issue? The golden rule concept of human rights does not exist across societies in today’s world. It is the oppressor taking advantage of the oppressed.

References

Abouharb, R., & D. Cingranelli (2007). Human Rights and Structural Adjustment. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Alston, Philip (2005). Ships Passing in the Night: The Current State of the Human Rights and Development Debate seen through the Lens of the Millennium Development Goals. Human Rights Quarterly, 27 (3), 755-825

Besson, S., & Zysette, A. (2012). Human Rights Theory and Human Rights History – A Tale of Two Odd Bedfellows. International Law and Ethics. Ancilla Iuris (anci.ch). 204-214

Blattberg, C (2010). The Ironic Tragedy of Human Rights. Patriotic Elaborations: Essays in Practical Philosophy. McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Cianci, R., & Gambrel, P. A. (2003). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Does it apply in a collectivist culture. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 8(2), 143-161.

Landman, T. (2006). Studying Human Rights. Oxford and London: Routledge

Melton, G. (2010). It’s All about Relationships: The Psychology of Human Rights. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 80(2), 161 – 169.

Glendon, Mary Ann ( 2004). The Rule of Law in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Northwestern University.Journal of International Human Rights 2: 5

Sen, A. (2004). Elements of a Theory of Human Rights. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 32(4), 317-321

Steinberg, G. Herzberg, A., &Berman, J. (2012). Best Practices for Human Rights and Humanitarian NGO Fact-Finding. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers / Brill