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| Päivitetty viimeksi 20.10.2009
General Topic:
Human Rights: For Sale or Saviour in the Globalising Market Economy
Global capitalism emerged as survivor of the competition between the systems. However, without the counterpart on the global stage it found itself under
increasing threat: politically it is now challenged by fundamentalism and the economy entered a phase of – more or less – synchronised crisis. The
financial crisis of the late 2008 is only the most visible expression of an overall and structural downturn which concerns not only the economic cycle
but has also to be seen as matter concerning the entire economic system.
One answer seems – globally and nationally – a strategy of retrenchment. Despite being frequently celebrated as crucially important, human rights are
factually pushed from the political agenda. T.H. Marshall suggested in his outstanding analysis a secular developmental path from civil to political to
social rights. However, currently we see the global decline of social rights, the weakening of firm political rights and the danger of civil rights, fading
away behind postmodernist unaccountability on the one hand and legalist approaches on the other hand. Internationally this translates frequently in
relativist positions when it comes to human rights. In a way we may even speak of a re-feudalisation: clientelism, bribery and not least the dominance of
the financial markets remind of socio-politico-ecopnomic patterns that had been typical for pre-capitalist societies.
However, on the other hand there are strong voices aiming on vigorous politics and policies counteracting such retrenchment. They surely see human rights
as safeguard against the uncontested dominance of commodification, market principles and subsequent denials of rights in particular in developing countries.
Moreover, though with different perspectives, human rights are seen as matter of developing a social economy. Vice versa: the demand for a social economy
is emerging, seeing a shift in the economic system as precondition to truly enhance human rights locally and globally.
The opening speech will introduce into the problematique by giving an overview that looks at economy, social politics and the state in a historical
perspective. At its heart is the question of the historical lines of the division within the economy (production, consumption, distribution and exchange).
And it looks in parallel at the division between the “economy”, “society” and the “political system”.
Subthemes:
1: Economy, Law, Policy – Reintegrating Social Science
At least today, debates in social science follow more the separate lines of disciplinary lines rather than looking at the methodological challenge of
the one approach which ties them together and serves as guide. Today, the two broad questions of “How is society possible?” and “What kind of society
are we actually dealing with in past, presence and future?” seem to be a purely academic and philosophical exercises. However, it is of crucial importance
to revisit these questions in order to shed light on the role of social science in a wider understanding. It is important to support the enhancement of
human rights through developing scientific positions on social and societal development.
2: Europe and the World
Europe – as EU – claims to pursue a distinct model: a model that is build on the strict observance of social and human rights. However, two questions
remain hugely challenging. First, is this sufficiently reflecting the actual reality within the EU? Second, if this is the case, can such concept be exported?
3: Social Challenges
The current global development – in economic and also in political terms – is to a large extent coined by serious economic threats going beyond preceding
crisis. The main difference is that we are historically at a kind of watershed, characterised by structural changes. Problems are arising on local,
national and supranational level, in so-called developed and so-called developing countries. Which are the main trends and how can real solutions be found?
4: Social Work: Part of Political Science?
Social work is frequently seen as unwelcome or even abandoned sibling of social science and especially social policy. And many social workers would see
themselves more as pedagogues rather than political actors. Can such division be maintained in a globalising capitalism which reaches in all pores of life?
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Kuopion yliopisto, Sosiaalipolitiikan ja sosiaalipsykologian laitos, PL 1627, 70211 Kuopio
Käyntiosoite: Yliopistonranta 1 C (Canthian C-sisäänkäynti, puh. vaihde: 0207 87 2211, fax: (017) 16 2523; s-posti: etunimi.sukunimi@uef.fi
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