Human Rights

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Human Rights vs. State Sovereignty In the realm of international politics, there are many variables that play into how things occur. Even small decisions by very small countries can have large impacts. Even on superpowers. For example, the country Libya has a population of a little over six million yet it is causing distress and problems here in the USA and around the globe. That is why even small decisions and actions taken need to be carefully reviewed because of the effects they can have on the rest of the world. So, with larger decisions like the question of state sovereignty vs. human rights, strong consideration needs to be given to the decision made because of the potential influence that can have on their own country and the rest of the world. In my opinion, human rights reigns supreme over state sovereignty and I will portray that by showing that it is not only morally correct and positive, but because it leads to better foreign policy, is supported by the UN, and instills in people an increased feeling of safety within the state as well as in other states. State sovereignty is a state’s power and authority over a set territory. Within that territory, they can make whatever laws and regulations they deem appropriate because of the fact that within this territory, that state’s government holds all the power and no other country can tell them how to run their own country. Simply put, state sovereignty is that state’s ability to govern themselves without any outside impacting factors. Because of the fact that state sovereignty is associated with doing what is in the best interest of their citizens, many view state sovereignty as a good thing. It ensures inhabitants of countries the ability to have their best inte... ... middle of paper ... ...News. CNN Wire Staff, 29 Nov. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. . Hathaway, O. A. "Why Do Countries Commit to Human Rights Treaties?" Journal of Conflict Resolution 51.4 (2007): 588-621. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. Nickel, James, "Human Rights", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2010 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = . Renteln, Alison Dundes. "The Concept of Human Rights." Anthropos 83.4 (1988): 348-51. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. . Wotipka, C, & Tsutsui, K 2008, 'Global Human Rights and State Sovereignty: State Ratification of International Human Rights Treaties, 1965–2001', Sociological Forum, 23, 4, pp. 724-754, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 11 December 2011.

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