Unit 4 AOS 1

Question 1

Define realism

Answer 1

Realism involves states (and other global actors) prioritizing their specific interests and needs over those of the global community

Question 2

Define cosmopolitanism

Answer 2

Cosmopolitanism reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community

Question 3

Define ethics

Answer 3

This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors are guided by different moral frameworks/positions. These may influence the actions of intergovernmental agencies and the creation and application of international laws

Question 4

Define justice

Answer 4

Refers to the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment and/or compensation when these ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice, such as the International Criminal Court of Justice, which seek to uphold international law and deter future violations

Question 5

Define international law

Answer 5

Traditionally only relating to states, international law is a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community. Customary international law applies to all global actors. Written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to thos who consent to it through explicit ratification. Some international laws may apply to only states, such as the UN Convention against Torture, while other may apply directly to citizens, such as war crimes.

Question 6

What are the international laws relating to human rights

Answer 6

-Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
-Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
-Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Question 7

What is CEDAW

Answer 7

Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and is a international treat dedicated to gender equality and empowerment of women. As of right now 189 member states have ratified or acceded to CEDAW

Question 8

What is CRC

Answer 8

Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international human rights treat adopted by the United Nations that outlines the civil, political, economic, social, health and culture rights of children

Question 9

What is R2P

Answer 9

Responsibility to Protect is a global political commitment adopted by the United Nations member states aimed at preventing genocide, war crimes ,ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. R2P establishes that states have a primary responsibility to protect their populations and if they fail to do so the international community can step in

Question 10

Cosmopolitan perspective of CEDAW

Answer 10

Amnesty Internationals campaign to ‘Free Saudi Arabias voices of change’ which advocates for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia (specifically aiming to free women incarcerated for advocating for the right to drive). They call on the international community emphasize women’s rights (especially since Saudi Arabia ratified CEDAW in 2000)

Question 11

Realist perspective of CEDAW

Answer 11

Saudi Arabias approach to CEDAW reflects a realist perspective as they ratified the treaty for international legitimacy but limits compliance to protect their own legal and cultural sovereignty. (Highlighting tension between international human rights and local religious and cultural values)

Question 12

Cosmopolitan perspective of CRC

Answer 12

Efforts to introduce legislative protections in Bangladesh such as the Childrens Act in 2013, comply with CRC reflect a commitment to obligations under international law

Question 13

Realist perspective of CRC

Answer 13

The effectiveness of employing Children’s Act in 2013 is undermined by Bangladeshs realist desire to preserve economic growth above spending more money to enforce human rights laws more strictly. In 2015 the Committee on the Rights of the Child released their sixth periodic report where they highlighted the need to enforce laws more strictly

Question 14

Cosmopolitan perspective of R2P

Answer 14

Responsibility to Protect reflects a cosmopolitan perspective by asserting that the global community has a moral duty to protect individuals and upholds the idea that universal rights are paramount

Question 15

Realist perspective of R2P

Answer 15

The UNSC resolution 2672 (aid to Syria) the UN began cross border operation in 2014 which extended the use of Bab Al-Hawa border crossing for the delivery of aid unit july 2023. In July 2023 Russia vetoed an extension of UNSCR 2672 with the support of the Syrian government stating that it violated sovereignty

Question 16

Economic challenge to human rights

Answer 16

While Bangladesh ratified CRC and implemented Children’s Act in 2013 the economic constraints of a low-income state makes it challenging to provide all the necessary services and protects for children

Question 17

Was Bangladesh Children’s Act successful?

Answer 17

Yes! Rates of children aged 5-14 engaged in work has reduced from 10.1% in 2013 to 4.3% in 2018