Human rights and culture: Beyond universality and relativism

Abstract

The modern crusade for human rights has been seen as having its foundation in Western (European and North American) political history and culture. The focus on Western human rights discourse results frequently in the dismissal of non-Western cultures, institutions, norms and history as anti-democratic and authoritarian, with little utility for building modern human rights institutions. The authors contend that these cultures, norms etc., are of vital importance for those in non-Western nations who seek to protect human rights. Further, careful study of these practices may assist those in the West who now confront a more complex human rights debate about affirmative action, entitlements, and gender and ethnic violence. African examples are employed to illustrate the strength of traditional checks on authority and the existence of entitlements in traditional society. Further, to the extent that human right notions are seen as indigenous to African culture, those demanding respect for rights can be insulated from the charge of western cultural imperialism.