New Paradigms in the Exercise of Universal Rights and Freedoms

Abstract

The guarantee of a successful development of any modern, democratically oriented society, largely rests on continuous and fuller realization of a broad range of human and minority rights and freedoms. Current social trends in the world, reflected mostly in pervasive process of globalization, put modern society before a number of challenges which have their immediate impact on all aspects of social life. Therefore, reflection on, and thus consequently realization of universal freedoms and rights must necessarily start from the changes caused by globalization, both in general, worldwide scope, and in the content and character of humanity, in the context of marking a new phase in the evolution of modern society, with subsequent, far-reaching changes in the position of the man and the realization of his dignity. The complexity of social relations in the modern world is expressed by, among other things, disparities and inequalities among people. These disparities and inequalities gain intensity in the sphere of economic life, particularly in terms of the current global economic crisis. They are shown in an increase in unemployment, large social differences, and an increase in poverty. All these phenomena are global in scope and shaking all modern society, almost without exception, undoubtedly influencing the level of realization of human and minority rights and freedoms, even in those communities which strongly rely on their sincere and full respect. This paper aims to point out the necessity of full realization of all human rights and freedoms in the current social situation, since it is where an essential foundation of the re-development of a new, global society, undoubtedly based on stable foundations of democracy, tolerance and economic development, lies. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n9p709