Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The universalism versus cultural relativism debate has long existed in both legal scholarship and in philosophical debates about human rights.Cultural relativists argue that human rights are culturally dependent and therefore should be judged as such. Universalists believe that human rights are universal therefore should be equally applied to every human being. This argument is centered around passing and implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other related covenants. While universalists hold this declaration to be true and unwavering, cultural relativists argue that this declaration is centered around Western ideals and therefore does not incorporate their cultural norms and beliefs. This paper provides an analysis of these two ideologies and which best serves the need of individuals, rather than governments around the world. To understand these arguments, I provide examples derived from South Asian cultural contexts. I also provide a content analysis to identify if leaders fro South Asian countries are still holding onto the Asian Values belief that their countries do not thrive under universal human rights. As globalization has not led to a universal culture and a moral world the issue of universalism versus relativism in human rights still remains unsolved.