The Role of States

The promotion and protection of human rights by individual states has an internal as well as an
external dimension. This chapter discusses the domestic and international actions states can
carry out to enhance human rights protection. Internationally, states can raise their voices
whenever human rights are violated. States are actively involved in the development of human
rights standards, institutions and supervisory mechanisms. They are the first to bring violations
to the attention of international fora and, furthermore, have the capacity to stimulate positive
developments with regard to compliance with human rights standards.
At the national level, it is imperative that states comply with international standards. These
standards, however, often provide only the minimum safeguards and it is thus preferable that
states provide a higher level of protection, i.e. by making available resources for a higher
enjoyment of certain socio-economic rights. It is emphasised that effective domestic protection
and the success of international standards ultimately lie in the power of states. The human rights
supervisory mechanisms, particularly the European Court, have consistently emphasised this
point in establishing that their supervision should be subsidiary to that of the national courts and
domestic systems for the protection of human rights.

How International Relations Effects My Daily LIfe

Does international relations effect my life? I think anyone would be naive to say that their lives are not effected
by this. Almost every aspect of my life is effected my international relations...especially the financial part of it.
First of all I think just about everyone who owns a car can take one look at the gas prices and see that they are
ridicuosly high. Since most of our gas comes from other countries, I know it is safe to say that could be one
prime example of how our lives are effected by international relations. And just like chapter one said there are
so many ways to be effected...like all the products we buy; there are probably no clothes that we wear that are
maid in America. Or you never know if maybe your cousin or your neighbor could be shipped off to war. I think
that it would not be normal if we were not effected by international relations.
posted by arobey @ 6:41 AM

4 Comments:
Kasey Rhodes said...
It is inevitable that all of our daily lives are going to be affected with international
relations for a number of reasons. First is the obvious, the "War on Terrorism", this was is
not just fighting for ourselves but of everyone in the world. Second, the price of, not only

gas, but also everything we purchase, whether it be fruit at the grocery store or jeans at
Express. Everything that we do, use or need have been affected by other countries which
have been gained through a war or a relationship that we have fought or gained with
other countries.
The way in which it affects my daily life is that the "War on Terrorism" affects my family
and my friends' families because we are constantly worrying about who is overseas
fighting for me and my country and whether or not we will ever see them alive again. The
gas aspect of the international relations is that I, along with my friends are limiting our
driving because we are not wanting to have to fill our gas tanks up more than once a
week because it puts a HUGE hole in our pockets and bank accounts. My best friend has a
SUV and she is having to watch where she goes because it is causing her to fork over
$60+ dollars a week just to go to a from work. When time comes around to wanting to
go out we lean towards the person with the smaller car because it takes less to fill their
car up and we are able to go to more places. Also, when it comes to the purchasing of
new cars there are less SUVs being sold due to the simple fact that they are harsher with
gas mileage andthe potential to have to spend more money to fill them up makes it more
likely that the cars are going to be sold faster than the SUVs or truck. Another aspect is
that when 9/11 occured, it put my company, I work for a construction company who does
high-end interior renovation for corporations, law firms, and hospitals, we were hit VERY
hard with the economic fall. My company is a smaller company employee and more of a
family, wise so they are able to focus more on their employees and care more about their
employees than a bigger more money driven company and our two owners took huge pay
cuts inorder to keep and maintain our staff. We along with many other contruction
companies were hit very hard, but where the other companies were laying people off, our
company took a different approach and kept their employees but took more financial
savey approach to spending and my bosses took less money home to ensure that
everyone could still manage to put food on their tables for their families.
3:17 PM
Flo Rodier said...
International Relations affect all of us on a daily basis. My professional life is directly
affected in my job as I work for Citibank which is an extremely large international

corporation. If something happens in one country, it ultimately affects employees in all

others as well. For example (I can not get specific due to privacy policy) some issues
were infolded in Germany within some of our corporate offices. The company was slapped
on the hand (rather firmly) by the government. Due to this, we were all, in all countries
with Citibank offices, required to attend what we call a town hall meeting lead by one of
the higher powers whithin the company. Additionaly they put in place a several hours
long training we all had to attend and sign off on.
International affairs also affect me on a more personal level. My mother currently lives in
Hong Kong and my father is in France. Despite no longer living in France, I am always
aware of what happens in these two countries. Furthermore, the current state of affairs
makes it very difficult for me to fly home on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, i have
not seen my parents in two years.
International relations also affect my, and others, finances. Obviously the price of gas is
an issues for all of us in the world, my taxes being spent on a war on terrorism, etc.
All in all, not many aspects of our lives are not affected by international affairs.
12:53 PM
faithriley said...
I have recently been incresingly more aware of the repercussions of international affairs
in my day-to-day life. I know the effects were always there before, but recently my world
view has really been expanding, and I find myself searching for information concerning
places that aren't here. Of course there are the gas prices and the consumer goods that I
buy that are made elswewhere, but deeper and more personal than that, I have found
my heart really desiring for anything it can cling to that has to do with different nations,
peoples and their cultures. I spent the majority of my summer in Africa this year. I went
as part of an internship. I flew into South Africa, drove through Botswana, and spent the
majority of my time in the high schools of Zambia teaching abstinence as a form of
HIV/AIDS prevention. Like I was sure would happen, I left a huge part of my heart in
Africa. I plan on doing the internship again next summer, and this time we will go into
Kenya. I have found myself longing to hear anything that has to do with Africa. Tonight, I
attended the Ali Mazrui lecture at KSU that had to do with Globalization. It was so
fascinating to me. Even though I will not get any credit for it, I am going to attend every

lecture this semester so I can understand as much as possible about Kenyan culture and
how my culture and nation relates to their culture and nation. Mazrui talked some tonight
about how the American/Arab conflict affects Kenya. That was so interesting to me and
gave me even more incentive to really pay attention to the United States' foreign policies.
8:56 PM
faithriley said...
I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts and comments so
far. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better through this blog. It sounds
as if we are a very diverse group, and that is very exciting to me!

How International Relations Affects Our

Everyday Lives And How We Affect
International Relations. January 22, 2008
Filed under: Uncategorized richmond11 @ 3:51 am

International relations affects our everday lives by influencing us through the

products we buy, the ideas we value, and the well-being of our family abroad and
at home. The value of the U.S. dollar is based upon economic policies the U.S. has
with other nations. Therefore, if these policies are weak so is the dollar which
affects our standing in the global economy. U.S. relations with foreign states affects
the price of products we buy. For example, U.S. taxes on foreign products
influences whether consumers spend their money on foreign or domestic products.
International relations also affects the buisness industry because many companies
are outsourcing jobs to other nations because their labor is cheaper.
We affect international relations through the cars we drive. By choosing to drive
less fuel efficient cars, we cause the U.S. to depend more on oil producing
countries. Also, the U.S. citizens can influence which type of foreign policy the U.S.
promotes by voting for a particular Presidential candidate. In addition, the United
States tends to have better relations with nations that hold the same values as the
U.S. public and worse relations with nations that have opposing values.

What is the relation between Society and

Individual?
ARVIND KUMAR

Man is a social animal. He has a natural urge to live an associated life with others. By
living with others he enjoys the fruits of common life. Man needs society for his very
existence or survival. The human child depends on his parents and others for its survival
and growth. The inherent capacities of the child can develop only in society.
Society provides a favourable atmosphere for the development of human personality. A
rich and varied social life provides him with immense opportunities to be his best self.
Again individuals depend upon society for the satisfaction of their innumerable wants.
Society provides insurance or security against odds in life.
The individual falls back on his family and friends in times of difficulty and insecurity.
Society is a store-house of knowledge and experience, and each individual benefits by
the wisdom and experience of generations of human beings.
All this proves that man is by nature and necessity a social animal. He is intimately
related to social life. The relationship between society and the individual is reciprocal
and complementary. Society is composed of individuals and each individual is an
inseparable part of the social whole.
A society refers to the whole and individuals represent only its parts. It is obvious that
individual is both a social factor as well as a social product. Thus there is no antithesis or
contradiction between society and individual.
Nevertheless there may be occasions of conflict and opposition between the society and
the individual. There is controversy among scholars as to who should be sacrificed in
such cases. One group of thinkers known as the socialists, collectivists, idealists and the
organismic theorists maintain that society as a collective whole is bigger and greater
than each individual.
The individual may be selfish or egoistic. He may ignore the social interest and pursue
his self-interest. In such cases it is the duty of the individual to adjust him to society or
else society would compel him to conform to the pattern of social life and code of
conduct. The individual may be sacrificed for the common good of society.
On the other hand, a group of thinkers known as liberals and individualists put
premium on the dignity and worth of each individual person and maintains that society
exists for the individuals. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. Society is an
instrument to achieve and promote human happiness.
They demand ample freedom of thought and action for the individuals and attack any
attempt by society and associations to limit or take away precious freedom.

Both views are one-sided and exaggerate both the importance and superiority of society
or of the individual. They contain some element of truth, but not the whole of it. It may
be said that the proper relation between society and the individual is reciprocal and
complementary and not one of conflict and antagonism.
Herbert Spencer is an advocate of the organismic theory which compares the
relationship between society and the individual with the relationship of body with that
of its various parts. The body and its parts are interdependent. Neither can exist without
the other. Likewise individuals are indispensable for the composition of society and
society is essential for the very existence of the individuals.
The ultimate goal of society is to promote good and happy life for its individuals. It
creates conditions and opportunities for the all round development of individual
personality. Society ensures harmony and cooperation among individuals in spite of
their occasional conflicts and tensions. If society helps the individuals in numerous
ways, great men also contribute to society by their wisdom and experience.
Scientists, statesmen, reformers, philosophers, poets, artists, intellectuals etc., have
made rich contribution to social Me. IC individual as, a social product benefits be the
wisdom and experience of society, and he also contributes to this store house of
knowledge and experience in whatever capacity he might be placed in society.
Thus society and individuals are bound by an intimate and harmonious bond and the
conflicts between the two are apparent and momentary. In a well ordered society, there
would be lasting harmony between the two.

Individual and Society

Man is a social animal. He lives in social groups in communities and in society. Human life and
society almost go together. Man cannot live without society. Man is biologically and psychologically
equipped to live in groups, in society. Society has become an essential condition for human life to
arise and to continue.
The relationship between individual and society is ultimately one of the profound of all the problems
of social philosophy. It is more philosophical rather than sociological because it involves the question
of values.
Man depends on society. It is in the society that an individual is surrounded and encompassed by
culture, a societal force. It is in the society again that he has to conform to the norms, occupy
statuses and become members of groups.
The question of the relationship between the individual and the society is the starting point of many
discussions. It is closely connected with the question of the relationship of man and society. There is

two main theories regarding the relationship of man and society .They are the social contract theory
and the organismic theory.

Four Essential Characteristics of a State?

Answer
An state must have definite borders, a central government, a state economy
and a way to transport or circulate goods and people. The lack of any of
these elements would change a state into a territory. States must be able to
function using these four elements in order to service the people of the
state.