U4 AOS 1 - Ethical Issues and Debates

Question 1

Define Realism

Answer 1

-is the prioritisation of specific needs and interests over those of the global community.

National Interests > International Community.

Question 2

Define Cosmopolitanism

Answer 2

-is a desire to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community. Humanity is a single community, regardless.

Question 3

Define Ethics

Answer 3

Ethics seeks to address questions of morality; What is right and wrong.

Global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions. These may influence the actions of IGO’s and the creation of international laws.

Question 4

Define Justice

Answer 4

-refers to the concept of moral rightness on ethics, law, fairness, and equity that seeks punishment and/or compensation when ethics are breached.

Question 5

Define Human Rights

Answer 5

-refers to the legal, social, and ethical principles of freedom or entitlement. That is, rights are the rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people.

Question 6

What are the 3 ethical debates surrounding human rights?

Answer 6

1. Economic challenges to the universality of human rights.
2. Cultural challenges to the universality of human rights.
3. State sovereignty vs the Responsibility to protect.

Question 7

Aim of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

Answer 7

To guide states on how to effectively prohibit and prevent such practices, as well as investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators, and provide compensation for victims.

Question 8

Obligations to the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

Answer 8

173 members and 33 articles of the UNCAT.
Article 2: Torture must be prevented within the state’s territory.
Article 3: The gov. must not extradite and individual to a state where there is the possibility that they will be tortured.
Article 4: Torture must be listed as a criminal offence within the state.
Article 14: Victims of torture (or their descendants) must have a right to compensation.

Question 9

Cultural challenges to the universality of human rights: Realism in Indonesia towards the UNCAT

Answer 9

2010 - the Indonesian province of Ache implemented laws which criminalise same-sex sexual acts, as well as Zina (sexual acts outside marriage).
The criminal code permitted for 100 lashings and up to 100 months in prison, which zina violations permit 100 lashings.
“Caning contravenes Indonesia’s constitution & is in clear violation of international human rights laws.” - Amnesty International.

Question 10

Obligations to the UN convention on the rights of the child

Answer 10

States that ratify pledge to protect children from economic and sexual exploitation, violence, and other forms of abuse and to advance the rights of children to education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living.

Question 11

Economic challenges to the universality of human rights: Cosmopolitanism in Indonesia towards the Rights of the Child

Answer 11

The Ivory Coast ranks 166/188 on the human development index.
2017 - The Ivory Coast adopted a list of prohibited jobs deemed hazardous, prohibited for U18s to work.
School was made compulsory and free for all children 6-16.

Cote d’Ivoire demonstrate a desire to follow human rights law to better the world as a whole, as opposed to doing what’s most economic.

Question 12

Economic challenges to the universality of human rights: Realism in Bolivia towards Rights of the Child

Answer 12

2014 - Bolivia lowered the working age from 14 to 10. Citing the state’s economic situation.
“It would have been easier to pass a law in line with international conventions, but it would not be enforced because Bolivia’s reality has other needs and characteristics.”
- Vice-President Linera.

Question 13

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Answer 13

-is and agreement accepted by all UN members. The R2P acknowledges the existence of universal, moral principles that apply to all.

Question 14

State sovereignty VS The Responsibility to Protect

Answer 14

R2P inaction in Syria - Atrocity crimes committed by all sides (e.g. confirmed 33 chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian Gov.)
UNSC resolutions that invoke R2P could be used as a “trigger from the west for regime change rather than military efforts to protect civilians - Vitaly Churkin (former Russian ambassador)

Question 15

3 Pillars of the R2P

Answer 15

1. The state bears the primary responsibility to protect its populations.
2. The international community has a responsibility to uphold the R2P.
3. The international community must take action through the use of diplomatic, humanitarian, and other peaceful means. Should peaceful tools prove inadequate, then there must be stronger measures taken.

Question 16

What are the 3 ethical debates surrounding arms control?

Answer 16

1. Differing approaches regarding non-state proliferation.
2. International security vs National security.
3. Disarmament vs Arms Control.

Question 17

International security vs National security.

Answer 17

State security is justified when arguing for a state’s sovereignty or internal security.

International security targets a safer world for all humans of the world.

Question 18

Define Arms Control

Answer 18

-refers to the restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation, and usage of weapons for the purposes of containing conflict and ensuring global security.

Question 19

Define Disarmament

Answer 19

-refers to the complete removal of a category of weapon from existence. From a cosmopolitan perspective, disarmament is the most acceptable response to the proliferation of weapons.

Question 20

Disarmament vs Arms Control: Realism with the USA and Saudi arms deal

Answer 20

2017 - A US-Saudi arms deal is signed.
The US sold $110bn USD worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
“A significant expansion of the security relationship.” - The White House.

Weapons used in military action against Houthis in Yemen by the Saudis - prioritisation of state sovereignty.

Question 21

Obligations of the Ottawa Convention (Mine-Ban Treaty)

Answer 21

1. Immediately cease production and development of Anti-Personnel landmines.
2. Within 4 years (of ratification) destroy Anti-Personnel landmine stockpile.
3. Within 10 years clear all known mined territory.
4. Provide assistance to victims (if in a position to).

Collectively 55 million AP mines have been destroyed since 1997 thanks to the Ottawa convention.

Question 22

What is the Non-Proliferation Treaty? (NPT)

Answer 22

The NPT was established to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and provide a framework to facilitate the eventual removal of nuclear weapons.

Question 23

UN office for disarmament affairs on Nuclear Weapons

Answer 23

“The dangers from such weapons arise from their very existence … disarmament is the best protection against such dangers.”

Question 24

International security vs National security: Realism in North Korea towards NPT

Answer 24

North Korea possesses an estimated 30 nuclear warheads.

“The fundamental mission of our nuclear forces is to deter a war.” - Kim Jong-Un (2017)

Question 25

International security vs National security: Cosmopolitanism in Chile towards Ottawa convention

Answer 25

Chile has successfully fulfilled 3/4 obligations of the Ottawa convention.
2020 - Chile announced they’d destroyed their stockpile of 300,000 AP mines and clear all their mined territory.

Question 26

Disarmament vs Arms Control: Realism in the “Korean Exception”.

Answer 26

2014 - President Obama announced the “Korean Exception” at Ottawa convention.
“The security of the Republic of Korea will continue to be a paramount concern as we move forward with these efforts.”

There are 1.2 million dormant landmines on the Korean peninsula.
The USA is the global leader in assistance; $2bn in aid since 1993.

TLDR: The importance of South Korea as an ally in the region is prioritised over Ottawa.

Question 27

Disarmament vs Arms Control: Cosmopolitanism in UN sanctions and Australian commitment.

Answer 27

There have been 12 UN sanctions against North Korea as punishment for their possession of nukes.

“Commitment to the NPT is unchanged” - Australian representative to the IAEA Gillian Hirth on Australia’s possession of highly enriched uranium for submarines.