Human Rights, Democracy, Development and Cultural Pluralism

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, the world has not known as much instability as it is currently facing. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflagrations arising therefrom have brought the world to the brink of a 3rd World War and to the possibilty of a nuclear showdown. The effects are multifarious, ranging from widespread military outbursts to economic, social and political upheavals. While the Russian-Ukraine war seems to be the immediate trigger of the worsening volatility, there are a number of remote causes, not the least of which are unsettled post-Cold War issues bordering on human rights, democracy, development and the quest for a multi-polar world order. This paper asserts, via critical examination of the relevant matters, that politicization of issues of human rights, democracy, development and cultural autonomy has for long posed a threat to global understanding and would continue to do so unless an attitude of mutual respect and impartiality is adopted towards these issues. It asserts that unbiased and principled approach to such matters would enhance their inherent capacity to serve as veritable basis for peaceful co-existence among nations.