How does Glasius explain the simple definition of GCS that

he gives on p. 145?
Global civil society is the sphere of ideas, values, institutions,
organizations, networks, and individuals located between the
family, the state and the market and operating beyond the confines
of national societies, politics and economies.
Explain: the history of humanitarian and human rights
law...has been much more a product of the activities of
people outside government than is commonly accepted.
What examples does she give on p. 145-6?
The Convention Against Torture treaty was brought about by The
International Committee of the Red Cross, a non government
organisation (NGO).
When GCS actors question states or corporate power-holders, they
actually support a larger neoliberal global order. Capitalist states
cannot address more than a fraction of welfare populations.
Politics in Latin America, South Asia and Africa depend heavily on
sacred religious notions which counters western social science and
public opinion rather than the GCS itself and could be done with
better research.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights was signed in 1966, but as the author mentions, it was
a victim of the international politics of the Cold War. For
example, the USSR boasted of the economic and social rights
it extended to citizens, accusing the US (which did not sign
the Covenant) of failing to make good on them. We will
revisit in week 6 and weeks 8-11 the attempt to use human
rights to put pressure on governments to deliver
development. For now, try to understand on p. 147:
Sens argument
respect/protect/fulfil
Amartya Sens argument was against the common thought that
famine was caused by a lack of food. He believed that there was a
shortage of food due to a lack of socio-economic relations between
states thus leaving some states bereft of their entitlements.

Henry Shue believed that governments should: avoid depriving

people of their rights; protect them against such deprivation by
others and to aid those whose rights have already been deprived.
These categorizations of rights are known as respect/protect/fulfil.
p. 148: Explain the last paragraph of the section Between
them... some convincing.
Philosophers, lawyers and activists believed that hunger,
homelessness and ill health were not the product of bad luck or an
individuals personal tragedy. They believed that if someone was
suffering of these misfortunes, they were being deprived of their
human rights. However, nongovernmental and intergovernmental
organisations did not agree with this mentality (purely because
then they would have to aid these people in finding food, a place to
live and medical facilities which would cost them money.)
In Box 9.1, explain the paragraph Some developing
countries... legitimate government investments.
A few countries of the world (notably third world countries) are
simply not in the situation where they can provide their people of
the minimum, basic amenities as set out by the Covenant and its
committee. In this situation, the residents of that country are in the
best position to decide on how to split the resources and distribute
them to the population. International human rights organisations
cannot place judgements or comments on how the country is run,
since they do not know the reality of the situation. They cannot
decide between different legitimate government investments.
Do you agree with Mary Robinson that extreme poverty is
the worst kind of human rights abuse (149)?
I agree with Mary Robinson. Genocide and homicide is a terrible
thing, but once the person is dead; that is it. Their pain is over, they
do not suffer anymore. However, living in poverty is enduring pain
every day. They have no food, no housing, no education, and no
medication. Deprived of even the most basic necessities of life, they
live on. Despite the odds, they survive, but barely. It is so unfair to
the people stricken by poverty. It is not their fault and living in this
world shouldnt depend on luck that if youre born into a well off
family or in a modern country where facilities and rights are

available for you to exercise. Humans should not be faced with a

game of Russian roulette when they are born into this world.
Why is the World Social Forum (150) an example of global
civil society?
The world social forum is an example of global civil society because
it is a global gathering of civil societies whose primary focus is
human rights and human rights with topics covering social and
economic aspects.
Why did human rights experts come up with the idea of an
international court in the 1990s (151)?
The international criminal court was founded upon the basis that
there are certain moral standards in the treatment of any human
being. The ICC was set up so that they could enforce penalties on
rulers or other people who condone or commit crimes against a
population. Their purpose was to seek an end to the impunity of
war criminals and perpetrators of crimes against humanity.