Democracy & Human Rights



Democracy & Human Rights -- Questions / Issues to consider for Group Discussion:

1. What are some of the basic Human Rights (Individual & Social) & which do you think are most important? (“Universal Declaration of Human Rights” web rdg.) Which do you think are most important? Give examples from readings in which they are violated or upheld.

2. What possible Human Rights issues are present in this case of NC. Xmas Tree workers, Maryland Crab Pickers, California Port Truck drivers, Florida Tomato Pickers, and Texas Construction Workers? What can be done or suggested to address the problems (Elk et al. web rdg.)? How have workers made improvements – e.g., what is “Fair Food Program”? Illustrates Human Agency (vs. Social Structure) – e.g. “Fair Food Program”?

3. What Human Rights issues are present in Rios text (chs. 10-18) – e.g., how police treat him and homeys (individual rights), social and economic conditions that lead him to join gang—righto security, to work & fair wages and decent standard of living? Rios Examples of rights to education, family, cultural rights, and freedom from Cruel& Degrading treatment? How do he and others assert Human Agency in face of adverse social structure to improve life for himself and others?

4. What are main immigration enforcement measures proposed by Trump administration? How might they backfire? How do US deportations of immigrants back to Central America lead to human rights problems? Why is US deporting them? Do the cases in readings seem justified or like threats to US? What hardships does this cause – for families, health, etc.? Do immigrants work and pay taxes? Why do people come to US illegally? What are the dangers in crossing the US-Mexico border illegally – especially how many deaths since 2001? (Hamilton et al. web rdg.)

5. What is gist of the 2010 Supreme Court Ruling on Corporate Free Speech? How might it affect elections? What is Colbert’s critique of the new Super PACs it allows? (Savage et al. web rdg.) How does all this relate to Reich’s concerns about Corporate political power?

6. How does growing private economic power in Corporations affect democracy? How are Rights viewed by corporations? What are the “free market” and “big government” myths? (Reich web rdg.)

7. How do Multinational Corporations (MNC’s) affect Human Rights in developing countries? What is being done to try to improve their accountability? Lawsuits? What is the UN’s “Protect, Respect, Remedy” framework for Corporations & Human Rights? What is “human rights due diligence” for corps.? What are pro’s & con’s of this approach? (Corn et al. web rdg.)

8. What are some contradictions between US Ideals of democracy & human rights and US Practices in US Foreign Policy – esp. in Middle East & Indonesia (Hiatt et al. web rdgs.)

• Why does US does work with dictators & how does that harm the US?

9. Howe is torture & abusive interrogations of enemies viewed in media & by many Americans? What interrogation techniques are more effective? In the US since Sept 11, 2001; what human rights have been limited / violated, esp. for US citizens?(Aldhous and Turley web rdg.)

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