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20th Century Study Guide #1





9/10/03

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Part I: Book Review

Democracy- a form of government in which citizens rule themselves and express their will either directly or through elected representatives.

121 democracies as of 2001. More than doubled since 1970s.

Democratic Beliefs: Freedom of expression. Access to food and water. A right to be treated equally and with dignity.

1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Based on Britain’s Magna Carta, France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and U.S.’s Bill of Rights.

The United States is the world’s oldest existing democracy. We encourage democratization for safety, trade, and similar ideals (creating allies).

17th and 18th centuries Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Holland, etc. established colonies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Late 19th to mid-20th century, Europe began to lose control of the colonies, due to cost and the rising belief in self- determination.

Soviet Union dissolvement in 1991 caused the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Iron Curtain. The W. Democracies and E. Commies were less distinct. Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, etc. held democratic elections. Also parts of Asia, Africa, and most of Latin America.

Post- WWII—$13 Billion Marshall plan helped rebuild W. Europe and prevent spread of communism.

Summary of U.S. Efforts to thwart communism:

Haiti- 1994 Clinton sent troops to restore Pres. Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. Troops occupied until 1996. 2000 Aristide re- elected w/ suspected voter intimidation.

Bosnia- 1995 Clinton sent 20k troops to join 60k NATO force. Enforced Dayton Accords, a US peace plan. Bosnians voted peacefully 1996. Also apprehended human rights violators, tried before ICT( The Hague, Denmark, Est. 1993)

Kosovo- March 1999, 78 days of bombing by NATO to eliminate Slobodan Milosevic & Serbian (nasty) police. 2000, Elected Vojislav Kostunica President.

Afghanistan- Oct. 2001, US targeted Taliban, harboror of Al Qaeda terrorists. Local North Alliance was victorious after a month of US bombing. US gave $1 billion to rebuild, but left no military peacekeepers.

US is undecided in actions toward China. Disagree w/ undemocratic principles, but imposing trade sanctions would hurt US economy. As of 200, we are on a permanent normal trade relations status.

Should human rights be a US priority in foreign issues? Is it idealism over realism? Policymakers still debate.

Post WWII, war criminals were tried in international courts set up at Nuremberg, Germany and Tokyo, Japan for crimes against humanity and genocide. 1993, UN Security Council established an International Criminal Tribunal to try Yugoslav genocidists. 1994, a similar court was held for Rwanda genocide.

1998, 153 nations met in Rome to establish an International Criminal Court in The Hague, Denmark. US did/does not support, due to amount of power given to small nations and possible loss of national sovereignty (they take over).

Nationbuilding- the use of US prestige and power to create democratic governments in war-torn countries.

Nationbuilding is highly debated. Right now, the $87 billion commitment to Iraq is under debate.

Part II: Definitions 9/5

Democratization- The action of making a country democratic

Genocide- “ethnic cleansing”- killing an entire race of people

Free-Market Economy- An economy that is controlled primarily by the forces of supply and demand, not by government officials

Freedom of Expression- Citizens can talk and assemble without fear of punishment from higher authority. Includes the freedom of speech, press, and association

International Criminal Court (ICC)- A permanent international tribunal that will try individuals responsible for the most serious international crimes

Iron Curtain- A term first used by Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister). An imaginary boundary between democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe

Marshall Plan- A $13 billion aid program to rebuild Europe after WWII. Objective was to stop the spread of communism in Europe

Military Tribunal- Military court that prosecutes people thought to have committed terrorist crimes against US. Trial is closed to the public and the defendant is not entitled to a lawyer

National interest- An action or belief that will somehow have an impact on a country

Nationbuilding- Refers to the use of US prestige and military power to help create and sustain stable, democratic governments in war-torn countries

Self- Determination- The belief that a country should have the ability to govern itself without government control

Trade Sanctions- Used to penalize, especially for violating a moral principal or international law

UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights- Established in 1948 in an effort to secure fundamental rights of every human being

Imperialism- A policy of extending rule over foreign countries

Proponent- One who argues in support of something; an advocate

Ideals- Regarded as a standard or model of perfection or excellence

NGO- Non- Governmental Organization

Part III: Notes 9/10 Democracy and the World

Democracy- A form of government in which citizens rule themselves and express their views either directly or [indirectly through elected officials]- republic

The difference between “true” democracy and a republic

· In a “true” democracy each citizen has a say in the decision-making process

· A republic is when citizens choose people to represent them and their ideas in government

Democracy originated in ancient Greece

The US is the oldest democracy in the world today

The idea of democracy is spreading. It has doubled since 1970 (after the dissolvement of the Soviet Union)

Why is the United States interested in global democracy?

1. Democratic governments tend to be more stable than dictatorships

2. Elected leaders tend to share American values

3. Elected leaders tend to want to be military allies of the US

4. Democracies tend to respect national borders of other countries

5. Democracies tend to have free-market economies

6. Democratic nations tend to share American ideals

The US’s first experience with nationbuilding was after WWII

The US is currently undertaking the policy of nationbuilding in Iraq and Afghanistan

The four categories of Human Rights

1. Protection of individual security

2. Ability to secure basic needs (food, water, shelter, health care, etc.)

3. Civil and political liberties (education, voting, free speech, etc.)

4. Freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, religion, social status or gender

The first global human rights document was the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). It is based on Britain’s Magna Carta, France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, and the United State’s Bill of Rights

In the past 30 years Human Rights have become an international, not an internal, issue

Human Rights have become part of foreign policy for many nations because of increased international trade and investment

13th amendment abolished slavery

1920 women got suffrage (voting rights)

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