Globalization and human rights

Abstract

Globalization has various dimensions. Three of them are of particular importance: economic globalization, communication globalization and cultural globalization. Economic globalization opens new opportunities for economic growth and development. At the same time it has been accompanied by poverty, unemployment and the disregard of human rights in particular economic, social and cultural contexts. However, not all human rights are endangered. Those which may be qualified as "market oriented" like the right to private ownership or the right to the protection of intellectual property, are promoted and protected. Communication globalization has a rather positive impact on human rights. However, the use of the Internet by paedophiles, for the dissemination of pornography, for the advocacy of racism, xenophobia and violence raises a number of ethical and legal questions. The culturally homogenizing effect of globalization reinforces the universality of human rights and helps to eliminate certain discriminatory practices. The contradictory blessings of cultural globalization are linked with its negative consequences for the cultural rights of vulnerable groups. It may also undermine existing cultural identities and weaken ethical norms and social cohesion.