| The Cosmopolitician |

Women's Rights// A Global Issue

2010-04-15T06:45:00.001-07:00

This morning I was going through the news sites and came across a story about a 12-year-old girl, Elham Mahdi, who died from internal bleeding (due to rape) 3 days after being married to a man estimated to be more than twice her age. Though the story is being overshadowed by the successes of the US Nuclear Summit, it is a story that is all too common in the world and one which illustrates the continuing problems women and young girls face cross culturally.

Yemen has become somewhat of a poster-child for Women's Empowerment when in 2008 a 10-year-old Nujood Ali, being raped and beaten, escaped from her husbands house to a courthouse where she sat on a bench demanding that her marriage be dissolved (she succeeded). Underage marriage in Yemen is a large problem where it is estimated that one third of all women are married before the age of 18.

I have written about womens issues in past blogs (see post) as it is a very important subject to me. There are a host of problems in both developed and under-developed countries which contribute to the abuse of women and girls. There are many examples of oppression (sex trafficking, prostitution, rape, incest, physical abuse, emotional abuse, underage marriage, media image, etc.) still existing without any signs of instance reduction. I feel it's important to keep this at the forefront of our thought process when considering cosmopolitical ideals.

Many times (as in Yemen) women are looked at as a burden, both economically and morally. Woman's root (especially in Judaeo-Christian beliefs) is that of sin, temptation, and weakness. One who is weak and foolish. Is there anything more inhumane and degrading to the human experience than this?

One of the problems (in my opinion a large contributing factor) we face in women's empowerment is a continued patriarchal system of male domination which essentially destroys the Woman and makes her a secondary citizen. Many religions and indeed social institutions (though not all) see the roll of woman to be that of mother; raising boys to be leaders and girls to be mothers who will in turn raise boys to be leaders and girls to be mothers, etc. It's a cycle that continues and is only defeated through education and legislation.

Imagine a world in which girls and boys are raised side by side to be empowered to become that which they choose. To set before them a banquet of opportunity for learning, art, science, sport, business, politics, etc. To feed them encouragement and to teach them respect of all sexes, people, and places. A super-conscious generation of cosmopolites that work together to bring about progress for humanity. Imagine what that would be like...

Here are a couple of links to get started::

http://www.globalissues.org/article/166/womens-rights (Information)

http://www.saynotoviolence.org/ (Action)

by Shadna Aten

New Moral Ground// President Obama on Torture Policies and Unlawful Detention

2009-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

The following is a clip from this morning's speech given by President Obama at the National Archives in Washington DC. In effect it is a response to the voices of opposition who seek to justify the atrocities of torture and demonize the cause of human rights and justice.

by Shadna Aten

Voice on Liberty// Freedom of Movement

2009-01-25T15:21:00.000-08:00

The United States of America, a nation built by foreign hands on the principals of freedom and basic human rights, stands upon the brink of moral desolation due to the abandonment of these ideals for ones of fear and nationalism.

We, who have come from a diverse history of societies oppressed, turned to a new world that would allow us refuge, safety, and independence. No longer would we submit ourselves to be shut off from our government, our society and our world. We took the power of our conscience and will and used it as a hammer against these walls, formed by those in elite positions, which strived to separate, isolate, and oppress. We became and continue to be united in the belief that all of us are born with rights that are not dictated by man but, rather by laws natural and inalienable. In this we own a cosmopolitan ideal that is upheld by our Constitution, Declaration of Independance, and Democratic form of government. The rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

However, since September 11th, 2001 we seem to be straying from this form of thought as we begin to create metaphysical and psychological walls that seperate us from the rest of the world. These walls are being built up out of fear of our national security and are solidified by a silent racism that plagues our nation and threatens to destroy our society. This is hardly anything new, but something that we must seek to stop in order to create a world of peace and progress.

During the past two years there has been talk of taking our metaphysical walls and turning them into a physical wall that separates the US from Mexico. Not only does this violate the rights of all individuals but, during the same two years no such wall has been proposed for Canada. This shows a clear contention towards the "brown" and favoritism of the "white". The reasons are beyond logic and are diametrically opposed to our national ideals. I propose that not only is discourse on this topic colorist but it is also traitorous to our nation and our morals. Though this topic may seem taboo, at least one observer sees a vital roll that it plays in moving toward perpetual peace in the US and throughout the world.

The discussion began shortly after the attacks and were echoed during the 2007-2008 election process. The 2,000 mile border between Mexico and the US allows millions of "illegal" (if such a term can be justifiably coined) aliens to cross from Mexico into the US each year. The fear is that this could allow terrorists to enter our country and infiltrate our security. This can easily be said to be a false reason, as the same could be true to the North where we border Canada. In comparison, our Northern border is over 5,500 miles long. This is nearly triple the length of our Southern border. This 5,500 mile stretch is without walls and has a much smaller border patrol. The reason for this is that the income disparity between Canadians and Americans is not a large margin as Mexicans and Americans. In fact Canadians and Americans are very similar and cause little border activity for migrant workers. Whereas, standard Mexican wages are only a tenth of standard American wages.

Now, with these elements in mind, let us assume that one is in the act of infiltrating our nation in an effort to expose our weaknesses. It would make more sense for any intelligent organization to do so from the north and not the south. However, we don't deal with intelligent organizations of terrorists, rather we deal with super-intelligent organizations that are more likely to enter the country legally or to convert people already living here.

This leaves us with only one logical conclusion, that our "fear of terrorism" is being manipulated to further the progression of colorism/racism in the US. Should this be allowed? I certainly do not think so. Especially when we apply this in Cosmopolitan terms.

The perfect example of freedom to movement is seen here in the US. We are a country of 50 Individual and Independent States which allow all Americans and all visitors/aliens freedom to move throughout all 50 States without opposition, fear of loss of jobs, fear of invasion, fear of corruption, fear of terrorism, etc. One can easily walk, run, drive, fly, or bike from one state to another without any hinderance. In fact, it would be quite difficult to create a progressive and peaceful nation without this freedom.

Let us go beyond our borders (if you are reading from the US) and take the example of the EU. It is on a path that is similar to that of the United States however, much more ambitious and expansive thus, ultimately more influential. It's implementation, though somewhat limited, of Freedom of Movement among it's national inhabitants has created an economic power that is able to participate and compete in the global arena and offers it's citizens the opportunity of advancement and freedom that was previously unavailable to them. It creates greater unity and has an effect of perpetual peace among them.

Of course, the reality is that we are living in a world of aggression and competition. We do have threats that are very real to our citizens and to our freedoms. It is often difficult to distinguish where the line is drawn and how to perpetuate peaceful growth. However, we can take our morals and apply them fully to each situation thus giving us some direction to how far we can go in any direction without abandoning the process of peace. In this instance, let us remember the importance of deconstructing walls and reconstructing freedom.

by Shadna Aten

Eye on the Middle East// Peace and Apartheid

2009-01-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

Eight days of destruction, pain and violence have re-opened old wounds and have hurt the progress of peace in a highly volatile region of the world. This all done in the name of peace, protection and progress. As we see the reaction from the Arab world and the UN, I have to wonder how this will achieve any of those ends? Just turn on your TV and look at the news. You can see a growing tide of anger and outrage directed towards the Israeli government that won't be dissipated with neither the violent ousting of Hamas nor the violence against civilians that are already refugees in their own land.

The situation in Israel is and has always been dire. The history of the land and the right to claim it by Palestine and Israel is marred by violence, prejudice and power. This dark history and the actions of the Hamas terror group leaves us with very few, if any, peaceful solutions.

Though the path to peace is difficult and is often times violently opposed, I am inclined to follow the path that Fmr. President Jimmy Carter mapped out in his book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid". In it he goes over a process that is very Kantian, cosmopolitan and ethical as it honors sovereignty of Nations, States, Religions, and People. In it he goes over several steps that need to be taken in order to bring peace to the region. The following is a bit of that mixed with my own opinions and vision for peace.

The first step that needs to be made is for the United States to take a roll that is un-biased and neutral. Our allegiance to one side makes it difficult, if not impossible, to bring both parties to the table and to negotiate peace. Currently, we are not seen as mediator or negotiator. We are seen as a friend and as a foe to each respective side. This continuance of opposition and support will only strengthen the resolve of those whom are already hostile to Israel and the United States.

I presume that the above brings into the mind of the reader a suspicion of support to the terrorist activities of Hamas. So, let me be clear; I do not recognize any hostile government as legitimate in the world of cosmopolitanism. Hamas is a terrorist group that has risen to power in a small area of the world that continues to seek to create havoc and disregard of the value of human life. It is suicidal to the progress of the Arab World and needs to be dealt with so that peace can resume.

Another problem that we face is the illegal occupation of Arab Territory by the nation of Israel. Israel imposes embargos, tariffs, and taxes upon people and lands of which they have no legitimate claim. This continues to create distrust and aggression. Which leads me to the next step we should encourage and expect for perpetual peace, giving back the land that belongs to the Arabs as set forth in the 1947 UN Partition Plan.

It is clear that so long as Israel occupies, controls trade, taxes and ports they will be met with aggression. Understandably, Israel has taken control of these lands as they have needed it in the pursuit of protecting their citizens and their right to national sovereignty. This was especially necessary in the early development of the nation of Israel. However, the occupation now is much more of a liability and a justification for aggression by Hamas and other terrorist groups. Therefore, it is proposed that Israel (along with the international community) works with the PLO to give it the power necessary to remove Hamas from the Gaza strip and to dispel the organization all together.

This starts with returning all control of the designated West Bank to the PLO and ends with the return of all Arab lands to the rightful owners. The action would show the Arab Nations that we are willing to live peacefully and to the benefit of all so long as those neighbors are willing to work towards the same. This would also show that we don't negotiate with terror groups and that we believe in free and open societies.

Finally, with Israel in a position of dominance and control of lands, it should be simple for them to stop the weapons from entering the Gaza Strip without having to attack. This is especially true if the governments of Jordan, Egypt and the US participate in the process.

However, it's now difficult to see any progress with this attack on a city filled with innocent that are being unnecessarily wounded and killed. This action will have a very negative fallout and most likely result in the rise of more terrorism and aggression from those most affected by it. As they say, if murder begats murder... when will it end?

by Shadna Aten

Students of Peace// Naropa University Blog

2008-12-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

The CosmoPolitician is pleased to announce a new blog being created by the students of Naropa University. The site (NaropaPax.wordpress.com) will be focusing on the Peace Studies program at the University as well as providing insights by the students & faculty on current and past issues relating to global peace. It promises to be an intriguing blog full of fascinating view points and one that we will be checking in on often.

Human Rights// Re-Envisioning

2008-12-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

"...to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance..." - Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

____________________..._____________________

As a first generation Austrian-American who's ancestry is inextricably linked to the terror of the Third Reich, the atrocities of the Holocaust and the universal costs of World War II I am very aware of the fragile state that human beings find themselves in with regards to the protection of their rights. Along with this history is my present which has made me all too familiar with the nearly unlimited power of leaders, corruption of government, complacency of people, ignorance of the masses, and the dangers of prejudice.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was composed in response to the horrific human rights abuses and genocidal acts discovered in the aftermath of World War II. It was created by leaders of nations that value human dignity, life, and global peace to make certain that these acts would never again be a mark of disgrace upon us and that we would make it our first priority, our foundation, for united global political action. As such it has become the most important document ever created in the history of humanity as never before were the rights of human beings extended to all occupants of the earth regardless of borders, religion, government, skin color, or gender.

60 years have passed and as we look back on our history in search of improvement, of progress towards this sacred goal of equality and protection, it is unfortunate that we are not left unspotted from failure. Rwanda, the Former Yugoslavia, China, Chechnya, Armenia, Cambodia, torture and the treatment of POW's, along with the violation of women's rights throughout the world leaves a mark upon us that will never be washed away. Even today we still have yet to save the people of Darfur whom face violation of these universal rights and are being tortured, raped and genocidally exterminated by governments which we all are linked to.

If anything, this document is a touchstone by which we grade our actions and the effectiveness of our governments and our people for the past 60 years. Have we achieved peace? Do we value the rights of human beings regardless of geographic, religious, or political boundaries? Have we protected human beings to our fullest ability? How have we failed? How have we succeed? How will we act?

In my life I have seen the amazing power that comes from the resolve of one nation, one people, one organization, one ideal, one person for good or for evil. Though we are witnesses to terrible destruction, we can also be witness to incredible creation. It is from this ability to create that progress comes. And it is from progress that the inspiration of our humanity flows. Looking ahead to the next 60 years let us build on that which was created as a foundation for human progress, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

by Shadna Aten

On the 60th Anniversary of the UDHR//

2008-12-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to join together with millions of others as we celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. As people fortunate enough to have been born or adopted into a nation of affluence with access to the rights to political participation it is an honor to carry out the duty to give voice to those who are in a less fortunate position—the victims of systemic global injustice. As we reflect on and turn our attention to the common human values of full dignity and equality we must acknowledge that though our words are a powerful starting point, words alone cannot sustain human rights.

We want to celebrate this day as a day of achievement but as we look at the world as it is, it is obvious that our words lack the force of sustained and united action. How can we say that human dignity exists while 18 million members of the human family die each year due to lack of secure access to food, clean water, adequate shelter, and minimal medical care? How can we say that human equality is flourishing while women and girls comprise 70% of the world’s poor, over 60% of those who are not taught to read and write, and are systematically blocked from political participation and full human status within the family.

Too often we take refuge in ignorance overlooking these facts or—when noticed—attributing them to local causes and cultural difference. Yet, is it not our common values, the values of freedom from hunger, oppression, and discrimination, the freedoms of expression, autonomy, and fellowship, that overcame any differences 60 years ago and united the people of the world beneath the banner of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? This commonality is greater than any difference. We all—humanity—share a common past and we share a common future that is greater than any manufactured difference. Today let us unite under this commonality and make the last 60 years of normative ideals into a practical reality. Let us take our knowledge and transform it into wisdom and our wisdom into action.

by Lynette E. Sieger

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2008-12-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11

Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15

Everyone has the right to a nationality.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17

Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25

Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27

Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Voice on Liberty// Women's Liberation

2008-11-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

Due to the transition of "power" taking place in the US, it has become necessary, as a people, to address the issues of state sovereignty and the moral responsibility to protect human rights and equality. Today I will talk about the rights of a group that has been and continues to be the most vigorously demeaned, demoralized, victimized, abused, enslaved, and violated; women.

It is women that have the most to gain and loose by our actions in this transition and in the cosmo-political arena. For it is ingrained in society, both Western and Eastern, that women have a "lesser roll" to play and thus continue to be mistreated and misrepresented.

Due to the vastness and efficiency of subjugation done to her (women) it is important to bring her out of the shadows and into the forefront of political and cosmo-political discussion. For it is her liberation that will lead to the perpetual peace spoken of by Immanuel Kant and echoed by modern Democratic Peace theorists. If she continues to be pushed into the shadows by this community then she is again a victim, violated by the ignorance of our thoughts and actions.

She is plagued in the world by abuse, failed legal protection (if any), rape, prostitution, sex slavery, childhood molestation, lack of education, ostracized by her communities, sexual oppression, male domination, media misrepresentation, media devaluation and objectification, unequal and unfair pay, and so on. No other group in the world has ever suffered as much and to the extent of her.

It is plain to see that in nations which offer this group a more liberated roll (such as in most Democratic/Republican states, though it should be noted that this varies and has yet to be full emancipation within the US) we find more progress for those nations as a whole. The liberation and protection of her benefits the nation-state in many ways.

First the act of liberation and ensuring equality by the government increases its moral strength and character. Second, her active participation in the governmental process ensures her progress toward an autonomous position among all groups of people. Third, her participation in the economy provides more innovation, entrepreneurship, and money borrowing, spending and saving which spawns economic growth for her nation, government, and people. Fourth, her education contains multiple benefits that include advancement of intellectual thought, scientific discovery, political theory, economic theory, and philosophy. Her education further improves society by curbing unwanted pregnancy (which assists to maintain a low population thus reducing the societal strains of abandonment, foster care, adoption, etc), unemployment, and prostitution.

One may argue that Women must fight their own way up and that "we" have no right to interfere with the sovereignty of other nation-states. This would be false to assume. I would posit that the abandonment of Women is another violation of her and taking part in this is demoralizing. If we are demoralized, we have no ethical place to stand. In effect it has been removed from us by our inaction. Furthermore, because of effective and seamless oppression, she finds her self in a state that is inescapable. In fact I would argue that her freedom is unattainable without the assistance of those countries and persons that claim value for human liberties and equal rights.

Let us take the example of the Taliban in Afghanistan. We can see that a nation which holds extreme disregard for the rights of its people, and more especially those of its women, creates an atmosphere that devalues humanity and allows for the growth of hatred. The subjugation of women in this society is akin to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Europe. Hatred along with allowance of oppression maintains a false authority of a government over its people and/or groups of people over other groups of people.

Kant pointed out that those countries which are Republican are less likely to go to war. We can say that the same holds true for countries that value and secure the rights of its women. Can we know of certainty that the attacks on New York City wouldn't have happened if we had acted sooner against the Taliban and protected the rights of the Afghani women? Perhaps, no one can say. But with certainty, we can say that acts to ensure the rights of women is beneficial to our societies, to our nations, to our world, and to perpetual peace.

As a final note, not originally intended to be part of this treatment, I'd like to address a situation that is a contemporary example to the efficiency of societal, economic and political subjugation of women in the US and potentially the world.

In the guise of "change" we are ready to appoint a man into political office that sees women as unequal to men in intelligence, commitment, innate ability, and that women cannot overcome these inequalities due to her social situation. I am, of course, speaking about Lawrence Summers who is being appointed as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council. It is clear through these remarks, as well as the various other known offenses he has committed toward humanity over the past 18 years, that he lacks the ability to change and assist the progress of women's rights.

He shows blatant disregard and ignorance to the issues of cosmopolitanism and the protection of the natural rights of individuals. It matters not how effective and successful he may be in the positions he is appointed to. The idea that we allow this privileged white man further promotion for remarks that keep minorities, women, and those less fortunate marginalized and devalued, provides society and the world a false impression that it's okay to be a bigot so long as you are willing to apologize.

Though it is no new thing for our government to fail us, I was hoping that this administration, lead by Barack Obama, would provide the change and hope we desperately seek as human beings sharing a vary small planet. Still, here writes one cosmopolite that will not give up on being a voice for the cosmopolitan ideal of human equality... especially the equality of women.

Shadna

Opposing Lawrence Summers // by Lynette E. Sieger

2008-11-24T16:18:00.000-08:00

After living for eight years as a citizen of a nation whose leaders have shown a blatant disregard for the fundamental and universal nature of human rights, the election of Barack Obama initially gave me a renewed hope in the restoration of the recognition of the moral parity of all people within and outside of the arbitrary distinction of national borders. Today that hope has been shattered by the announcement that Lawrence Summers will be appointed as Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council in President Obama's administration.

As Chief Economist of the World Bank, Mr. Summers has proven that his logic—or what he claims to be his sense of irony and satire—is nothing short of genocidal. I fear that with this appointment the Obama administration will continue to sustain the pervasive and causal role that the international order plays in creating and sustaining conditions under which fundamental human rights cannot be fulfilled with Mr. Summer's ideology to impose on poor states conditions which entrench and deepen existing inequalities and lead to the ultimate and irrevocable human rights violation of death.

| The Cosmopolitician |

2008-11-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

The Cosmopolitician is a blog that explores cosmopolitanism as it relates to national and international politics. It gathers together students, philosophers, political theorists and politicians from across the world to discuss the issues we face today as they pertain to a global view.

Nations have become so deeply interconnected that it is impossible to act on any level without affecting the whole of humanity. Often these affects are negative and result in human rights abuses, genocide, unequal distribution of wealth, pollution, war, and disease. Due to the advents of exploration, conquest, colonialism, imperialism and international trade we find ourselves in an irrevocably altered course of human history. This history has created complex global interdependencies reinforced by the creation of global organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations (UN). Further instantiating this trend is the influence of powerful independent states, such as the United States and China, as well as multi-national corporations and international banks.

In order to maintain global sustenance, protection of human rights, pursuit of perpetual peace, and protection of our environment The Cosmopolitician will present the foundation for a cosmo-political society through essays, interviews, forums and the feedback of our readers.

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Definition

‘cosmopolitan’ - as derived from the Greek word kosmopolitês (‘citizen of the world’), has been used to describe a wide variety of important views in moral and socio-political philosophy. The nebulous core shared by all cosmopolitan views is the idea that all human beings, regardless of their political affiliation, do (or at least can) belong to a single community, and that this community should be cultivated.