Reaction #8- Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Read the excerpt from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The U.S. did not immediately ratify the Declaration. What policies and practices within the U.S. conflicted with many of the principles of the Declaration? (10 pts)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a document that was constructed in time of hardships in a way to address the problems in such a way that could potentially be used to give aid to the under privileged or disadvantaged. The problems that countries had with it are that they would never want an outside entity to have any kind of control over their own government.

This doctrine promised that all people were born equal and had the right to equal opportunities no matter what kind of background they came from. It was a huge ideology jump from the older times that had previously ruled the world. It was a declaration that had the prospect to end discrimination; however, there was no such luck.

This declaration was split into two separate sections, the first concerning Civil and Political Rights, and the second concerning Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Obviously each country signing this declaration would have a problem with either the first or second part. Either way this declaration pointed the World’s nations in the right direction, which was that they needed to start taking care of their citizens, because any further wars would lead to the imminent destruction of each other. It was a response to the cruelty that had just been witnessed worldwide in World War II that was still fresh in everyone’s minds.

One of the most important parts of the declaration in my opinion, is that concerning the children and future. It has special attention made to children whom they claim will all need equal and adequate education, health, and proper living conditions. They must protect the morality of the children, and ensure they have the uppermost respect for human life.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that was drafted way before it’s time. It was an idea so fresh and new to everyone that few could even entertain the idea of providing help to the disadvantaged. The United States principles of Capitalism and ‘’dog-eat-dog’’ competition as well as the “American-Dream” in which you must pave your own path in the United States sharply contrasts what this declaration is attempting to give- a safe productive environment to all of humankind.