| In 1948, the United Nations issued its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unfortunately, the document did not sufficiently define the terms human rights, justice and democracy. This paper examines the philosophic justification for human rights. A description of a complete moral system, along with a proposal for a general system of morality are presented as justificatory frameworks for democratization and human rights advocacy. A critical analysis of some important conceptual difficulties with current democratization practices is presented. Utilizing a synthesis process, important aspects of Kantian philosophy, General Systems Theory, Kohlbergian moral developmental stages, and the ethical foundations of psychoanalysis, a critical alternative proposal is presented. The ultimate aim of this paper agrees with the basic purpose of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and views it not only as an ideational proposal, but a real opportunity for the establishment among nations of a workable program for peace. |
