About the author
Filip Spagnoli is a writer/philosopher with an interest in politics, law and art. More on his website, www.spagnoli.be. His cv is here.
“I’m an independent. I’m neither left nor right. Or both if you want. I want redistributive justice but not the Nanny State. Diversity but not tolerance of intolerance. Tradition but not inequality and bigotry. Law and order but not discrimination of minorities. Freedom but not license. Democracy promotion but not imperialism. I’m a-religious. Or agnostic. I don’t believe in God but I can’t say that I believe there is no God either. I do believe that almost every problem in life can be reduced to a problem about HUMAN RIGHTS. Human rights are my philosophical passion. You can find my latest book on human rights here.”
Just found your wonderful blog through a web search of the concept of Universal Jurisdiction, as I am writing a book on that topic. Great writing and graphics. A rare find in the blogosphere!
Thanks
LKI
This is a very interesting statement that I will have to think about for a while, that most problems in life can be reduced to a problem about HUMAN RIGHTS.
My Dad taught me as a child that “Your rights stop where somebody else’s rights begin.”
I’m an American who has moved to Morocco some years ago. In this society everyone believes they are “free,” but they don’t mean the same things by “freedom” that Western society does. What they mean is that each person is “free” to do as he chooses, WITHOUT regard to others’ rights or feelings. Thus, you have neighbors bothering people even at 3 AM or 4 AM, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. People go the wrong way on one-way streets feeling that they are “free ” to do so, as long as no police are around–no matter that they make it dangerous for other drivers. (Police are not viewed as “helpers,” but as corrupt “takers.”
No one here follows any rules. They would view American society as that we are “restricted, NOT free” since we have too many “rules” to follow. This is what Moroccans like best about their own society, no one ever telling them what to do, how to do it, and everyone behaving as young children who have never been taught to respect others!
Perhaps this is also a problem of “human rights.” Anyway, I’m thinking about it now.
Madame Monet, in Marrakesh
Writing, Painting, Music, and Wine
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I am so glad I found your blog! I am the CIO of YOBI, and would be honored if you would make a few posts in our United Nations discussion forums. Our address is http://www.yobi.tv/yobiworld . We are hoping to create a truly international discussion of the issues that face our global community, and you absolutely have important things to add to the discussion.