First and Last Name/s of Presenters

Emma GradyFollow

Mentor/s

Dr. Zhen 'Arc' Han

Participation Type

Paper Talk

Abstract

The adherence or rejection of human rights standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is intricately linked to the levels of development in collectivist countries. Developed countries are more inclined to adhere to the UDHR due to several factors. Firstly, their advanced civil societies foster a greater appreciation for human rights values and principles. Secondly, developed states are more sensitive to their international reputation, particularly concerning their relations with Western dominating countries and trade practices. Consequently, the fear of damaging their standing on the global stage motivates them to uphold human rights standards outlined in the UDHR.

In contrast, collectivist cultures may struggle to align with the Western-centric rhetoric, language, and representation embedded within the UDHR. Without the UDHR serving as a common international standard, collectivist cultures might not feel as compelled to adopt or adhere to the individual-centered principles advocated in the document. Instead, they may prioritize communal values and norms over those emphasized in the UDHR.

Moreover, adherence to specific aspects of the UDHR often occurs within the framework of personal gain, comparable to the behavior of countries observed in terms of the principles of the International Liberal Order. Countries are more likely to prioritize aspects of the UDHR when significant stakes are involved, such as maintaining favorable relationships with other nations and securing economic prosperity. In such cases, adherence to human rights standards has become more instrumental rather than intrinsic.

The levels of development in collectivist countries play a crucial role in shaping their adherence or rejection of human rights standards outlined in the UDHR. Developed nations, driven by advanced civil societies and concerns about international reputation. Conversely, without the UDHR as an international standard, collectivist cultures may not be as compelled to adhere to the contradictory principles and foundations of the document. One influential theory of cultural change, the modernization theory, predicts that the rise of individualism is a result of economic growth, which supports this argument. Adherence to the UDHR often occurs within the context of personal gain, underscoring the contemporary instrumental nature of human within the broader geopolitical landscape.

College and Major available

Political Science

Location

Session 2: Digital Commons & Martire Room 114

Start Day/Time

4-25-2024 11:00 AM

End Day/Time

4-25-2024 12:15 PM

Students' Information

Emma Grady

Political Science

Honors Student

May 2024

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Prize Categories

Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Best Writing

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Apr 25th, 11:00 AM Apr 25th, 12:15 PM

Developmental Dynamics: Exploring Human Rights Adherence in Collectivist Societies Relative to Development Levels

Session 2: Digital Commons & Martire Room 114

The adherence or rejection of human rights standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is intricately linked to the levels of development in collectivist countries. Developed countries are more inclined to adhere to the UDHR due to several factors. Firstly, their advanced civil societies foster a greater appreciation for human rights values and principles. Secondly, developed states are more sensitive to their international reputation, particularly concerning their relations with Western dominating countries and trade practices. Consequently, the fear of damaging their standing on the global stage motivates them to uphold human rights standards outlined in the UDHR.

In contrast, collectivist cultures may struggle to align with the Western-centric rhetoric, language, and representation embedded within the UDHR. Without the UDHR serving as a common international standard, collectivist cultures might not feel as compelled to adopt or adhere to the individual-centered principles advocated in the document. Instead, they may prioritize communal values and norms over those emphasized in the UDHR.

Moreover, adherence to specific aspects of the UDHR often occurs within the framework of personal gain, comparable to the behavior of countries observed in terms of the principles of the International Liberal Order. Countries are more likely to prioritize aspects of the UDHR when significant stakes are involved, such as maintaining favorable relationships with other nations and securing economic prosperity. In such cases, adherence to human rights standards has become more instrumental rather than intrinsic.

The levels of development in collectivist countries play a crucial role in shaping their adherence or rejection of human rights standards outlined in the UDHR. Developed nations, driven by advanced civil societies and concerns about international reputation. Conversely, without the UDHR as an international standard, collectivist cultures may not be as compelled to adhere to the contradictory principles and foundations of the document. One influential theory of cultural change, the modernization theory, predicts that the rise of individualism is a result of economic growth, which supports this argument. Adherence to the UDHR often occurs within the context of personal gain, underscoring the contemporary instrumental nature of human within the broader geopolitical landscape.

 

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