Human rights : force of division or consolidation in international relations?

Abstract

This dissertation deals with the issue of human rights as a major subject in international relations. Even though such a term is of relatively recent, origin it has become a subject of great debate and controversy internationally. This may be due to the international nature of such a term based on the belief that every human being is entitled to a number of rights. Such a subject is made up of a number of areas of discussion because it is not made up of a singular set of rules. This five chapter dissertation discusses different and central areas of the subject which also clarifies some points which may not be too clear to the international relations student, as well as to any other person. The first chapter deals with the historical development of the term 'human rights' which took shape after long and diverse historical elements evolved and developed into the term one is familiar with today in international relations. The second chapter deals with another important development within international relations, that of international institutions, which is a relatively important subject in international relations. Such institutions have aided the development of human rights. Chapter Two is a rather contemporary issue compared to Chapter One but Chapter Three also goes back in time as it discuss theories which developed in the field of human rights, including the earlier ones which do not directly mention the subject of human rights, which are still of great importance as they also contributed to the development and spread of such a movement. Human rights is a subject which is made up of a number of other subjects all relating to the human being and his/her rights, including a number of issues which work on different levels. Chapter Four is dedicated to such areas which fall under the heading of human rights. Diversity is a major element of human rights but human rights are based on the belief of the establishment of a certain level of rights for all human beings everywhere. This dissertation therefore aims to find out whether human rights are a force of consolidation or division in international relations. Chapter Five focuses on this point further as is puts forward a case study using the world's major religions and their connotations with today's human rights movement to analyse what, if any, consolidating force human rights may have as a world practice in a world marked by diversities, religion being the example.