Abstract
The aim of this contribution is to provide an integrated theory of human rights by showing how a progressive rapprochement between different positions and paradigms is possible in terms of theory and practice. I will focus on the success (or failure) of the politics of human rights in bringing about social change within those countries where the democracy-building process is going on, showing in particular, how economic, cultural, and political rights of minorities are implemented.
Human rights in democratization processes play a vital role in setting up transitional justice mechanism, establishing the rule of law and monitoring democratic procedures. They are an explicit goal for democracy-building processes, and the move from formal rights to the enjoyment of rights is often uneven. The establishment of the rule of law and the acknowledgement of human rights in countries in transition in Eastern and Central Europe as well as in Latin America and Africa will be examined, showing the role that politics plays in generating them, and analyzing the strategies that are currently being advocated to more effectively reduce the high level of human rights violations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
EC regulation no 1889/2006, para. 8.
- 2.
Beetham (1999).
- 3.
The covenant states that: this convention of the Organization of African Unity, which stipulates that freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African people…and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Taking into consideration the virtues of their historical tradition and the values of African civilization which should inspire and characterize their reflection on the concept of human and peoples’ rights;… Convinced that it is henceforth essential to pay a particular attention to the right to development and that civil and political rights cannot be dissociated from economic, social and cultural rights [as] a guarantee for the enjoyment of civil and political rights; …Undertaking to dismantle all forms of discrimination, particularly those based on race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion or political opinion; …Firmly convinced of their duty to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights and freedoms taking into account the importance traditionally attached to these rights and freedoms in Africa.
- 4.
Eight Millenium Development Declaration. On the implementation of democracy and human rights see Løvåsen (2010).
References
Amnesty International Report. 2010. The state of the world’s human rights. Human Rights Watch, World Report 2010.
Beetham, D. 1999. Human rights and democracy. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Carrillo-Flórez, F., and D.P. Petri. 2009. Quality of democracy and parliamentary reform in Latin America: How Europe can help. Stockholm: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Cassese, A. 1990. Human rights in a changing world. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Council of Europe. 2010. Yearbook of the European convention on human rights. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
European Commission. European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). Strategy Paper 2011–2013. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/human_rights/index_en.htm
Galtung, J. 1994. Human rights in another key. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Galtung, J. 1996. Peace by peaceful means: Peace and conflicts, development and civilization. London: Sage.
Hankin, L. 1990. The age of rights. New York: Columbia University Press.
Hivos Human Rights Policy Document. 2002. Available at www.hivos.nl/dut/content/download/…/Policy%20Human%20Rights.pdf
Kent, G., and J. Ziegler. 2005. Freedom from want: The human right to adequate food. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.
Landman, T., and M. Larizza. 2009. Inequality and human rights: Who controls what, when, and how. International Studies Quarterly 53(3): 715–736.
Løvåsen, L. 2010. Improving human rights and development. Available at www.humanrightsdefence.org/improving-human-rights-and-development.html
Report on Democracy in Development: Global Consultation on the EU’s Role in Democracy Building, Idea: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. 2009. Available at http://www.idea.int/publications/democracy_in_development/index.cfm
Us Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 2009. Country reports on human rights practices. Washington, D.C: US Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, March 2010.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cedroni, L. (2012). Rights in Progress. The Politics of Rights and the Democracy-Building Processes in Comparative Perspective. In: Corradetti, C. (eds) Philosophical Dimensions of Human Rights. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2376-4_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2376-4_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-2375-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-2376-4
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawPhilosophy and Religion (R0)