Dynamics of Human Rights in the US Foreign Policy

Book excerpt: The book revolves around the role of the US federal government in the protection and promotion of human rights at the global level. A comparative analysis of human rights policy of different US Presidencies toward various regions of the world is analysed. The book discusses the broad theoretical perspectives on human rights and goes on to trace the growth and development of human rights in the US foreign policy from the time of American Declaration of Independence of 1776. In particular, it assesses the role of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan in addressing the global human rights issues. Besides, the US policy toward the former Soviet Union, China and Latin America has also been elaborately examined. The US Declaration of Independence of 1776 together with the Bill of Rights of 1791 constitutes the bedrock of US commitment and dedication to human rights. The great American statesmen—Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Carter rendered yeomen service to the cause of human rights, both at home and the world at large. However, in practice, the concern for human rights during the successive US administrations has not been consistent as there were occasions when the US gave greater weightage to strategic-military relations and economic considerations than to human rights. Besides, there were instances when the US became a passive collaborator to human rights abuses committed by several of its allies, particularly in Latin America and Asia. Also, there were certain Presidencies as Nixon and Reagan that gave more rhetorical speeches and statements on human rights with little follow-up action. On the whole, the US human rights policy has been active, assertive and dynamic, and its application been region and situation specific.