A World Made New: A Book Review
A World Made New is a really clever book that can be of tremendous assistance during violent and unsettling times in any nation. This book should serve as a haven for any country dealing with war-related difficulties or the potential for domestic unrest.
The Focus on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The main focus of this book is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the author argues that given the abundance of light in the world, it would be humiliating to live in a fearful and cruel century like the 20th.
Eleanor Roosevelt's Efforts
Although it is only adopted in the philosophical view, the work is remarkable from both a philosophical and diplomatic standpoint. A World Made New promotes the greatness of Eleanor Roosevelt effort in championing for human rights declarations. Eleanor efforts reinforcements by a remarkable group which worked with her. She championed for the declaration's universal areas. The book brings to light men and women who worked day and night to make sure that the statement safeguards universal human rights. Not all believed the groups' idea, but now they are in agreement with them their efforts (Glendon).
The Foundation of the Declaration
Through this book, we get to know the basis of Eleanor Roosevelt declaration. Other leaders whose ideas were enhanced include Charles Malik of Lebanon, Peng-Chun Chang of China, Rene' Cassin of France and John Humphrey from Canada in the United Nations Secretariat. Through a broad search in unpublished documents of various history makers, Glendon came up with the foundation of the declaration. The book answers all human rights questions so well that after going through the book, it remains to be your only reference on matters concerning the same. She begins her story at the tail end of the Second World War.
Eleanor Roosevelt's Role
Pressure from Latin America, humanitarian nongovernmental organizations, and smaller countries to champion towards mentioning of human rights in the United Nations Charter. After it had been put down, it was to their disappointment since no definition consideration took place thereafter during the process. A committee under the United Nation Sponsorship bestowed with the mandate to deal with the issue. Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed the leadership of the board in January 1947 labored tirelessly till the Universal Declaration adoption in the legislature in the year 1948 December.
Eleanor Roosevelt's Impact
Eleanor Roosevelt was the first lady from 1933 to 1945 was well familiar with the country, she also had to take sides on some issues. Her role in the human right commission brought her to the limelight of Diplomacy. She was admired by many, but there were those who mocked her as well. Her confidence did not allow her to see the mockery from those who disliked her. The reality was that she has a strong personality which was known by those who worked close to her. As a committee leader, she championed for the elimination of restrictions formulation in the human rights although she was aware of the slow adoptions which she was likely to face. Other countries viewed the move as a way of imposing Western Imperialism on them; they claimed that human rights are different in each country. Roosevelt addresses this by putting her efforts in coming up with standards which are agreed upon all other the world. She argues fruitfully on the validity of the declaration and disqualifying the imperialism claims since they lacked concrete evidence.
Comprehensiveness and Views
Glendon's views are accepted and sometimes seen as invalid by students, this is because of the comprehensiveness witnessed in the book. Chapter 9 gives a section by section declaration's draft history. As chapter 10 analyses the resolution bit by bit. Readers tend to view this two episodes to contain too much information and sometimes wish the content needed to be summarized and placed in the appendix of the book (Glendon).
The Impact of the Declaration
The declaration has faced denial from several countries, but on the other side, it has been embraced in nations which were not partisan during its conception. It is more encouraging that 19 of this countries have incorporated the declaration in their constitution. The question which keeps ringing in the minds of many is if the endorsement it through lip or writing only or if they are put in practice. From her report, it is discouraging to see some of the countries which have the declaration in their constitution violating fundamental human rights an example being Algeria which denies Citizens a right to Vote. Somalia and Burundi which have faced lawlessness in the 20th century are in agreement with the declaration.
Conclusion
Any claim which can be enforced by the law is what we call human right. Apart from Europe other continents do define the human right, in the same manner, making them impractical even though they are pronounced in the constitution and other treaties. In such cases, the declaration is a dream which will never be a reality. This conclusion supports Mary Ann by the suggestion of having acceptable standards needed to be agreed upon by all the nations in the world if the declaration was to be effective worldwide. The book is of great help in the world as from the end of the Second World War till today.
Works Cited
Glendon, mary Ann. A WORLD MADE NEW. Canada: Library of Congress Cataloging, 2001. document.
