6.9 Human Rights, Globalization, and Democracy

6.9 Human Rights, Democracy and Globalization

When people in countries around the world began to demand a voice in how their nations should be governed, they formed democracies. This form of government "by the people" brought with it the idea that all people are entitled to equality. With equality come equal rights—human rights. In a democracy, if people feel their rights are being violated, they have several legal means to pursue justice, including changing the government in power. The beginnings of democracy can be credited to the Greeks of the sixth century B.C.

At one time in history, no nations were democratic. They were each ruled by a monarch, or hereditary ruler, an elite group of powerful people, or a leader backed by an army. However, all over the world, nations are becoming democracies. Although not all these democracies give people full opportunity to participate in decision making, they are headed towards greater political rights for all.

Human Rights and Forms of Government

The fundamental rights of human beings are described in the constitutions of most nations. Even corrupt and violent dictatorships have constitutions that sound good. However, these rights are not always upheld by the legal system, the police, or even the government itself. When people do not have the power to make change happen, and the government in power is not responsible to its citizens, human rights violations often occur. Although human rights violations occur in democratic nations, they are far less common and the people in those countries can demand and create change. However, in countries ruled by a small elite, or a military dictatorship, or even a democratically elected but corrupt government, individual rights often suffer, and the people have no way to make changes to provide themselves with better access to rights.

The map, based on information from the Economist magazine, examines the degree of democracy found in 167 nations of the world rated according to

• free and fair election process

• civil liberties

• functioning of government

• political participation

Dark green represents a high level of democracy; dark red represents an authoritarian regime.

Democratic nations and people who live in them have an important role to play in encouraging all nations to provide their citizens with more rights and freedoms. As powerful democratic nations trade with non-democratic nations, they may demand greater democracy for people in those countries. For example, in the past, international relationships between South Africa and the democratic world led to a change in the apartheid system. As the people of South Africa realized that their nation was not respected because of its unfair policies that discriminated against the black people, they became more willing to change. Their connections with other people and nations were at risk. They learned that this system was not acceptable to most people in the world.