- Question
Does the West still value human rights in light of its dismissal of Khashoggi's death?
The West used to be the loudest voice advocating for human rights. But Western governments' evasive stances on the horrifying death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi government dissident, suggest this is no longer the case. In the light of huge economic links and political turbulence, are human rights still valued in western civilization?
Yes, the universal norm of human rights still holds strong in the West
This position holds that the universal norm of human rights still holds strong in the West, despite controversies. It points to the West's long postwar record — confronting the Axis, founding the United Nations — and to Western organisations that aid those in need worldwide.
Yes, despite that Western countries and non-Western countries perceive human rights differently
This position holds that the West still values human rights, even though Western and non-Western countries understand them differently. It argues that human rights express particular Western norms, and that different countries set different goals — so divergence is not the same as abandonment.
Hard to say, because promoting human rights globally is complicated
This position holds it is hard to say whether the West still values human rights, because promoting them globally is genuinely complicated. It points to the difficulty of punishing states that flout their obligations, debates over civil versus cultural rights, and the limits on interfering abroad.
Not exactly, Western governments' positions on honouring human rights are selective
This position holds that the West honours human rights only selectively. It argues Western governments will not uphold rights consistently when economic allies are at stake, compromising principles they themselves shaped for the sake of financial gain.
No. Western governments are hypocrites on so-called belief in human rights
This position argues that Western governments are hypocrites on human rights, applying double standards in their diplomacy. It holds that the West readily overlooks abuses—such as Khashoggi's killing—when lucrative financial agreements are at stake.