Kanttekeningen

Mensenrechten versus pacifisme: een cultuursociologische interpretatie van politiek opportunisme

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Abstract

Human rights versus pacifism. A cultural and sociological interpretation of political opportunism - The frequent use and abuse of the notion of human rights by the neoliberals in a variety of politically different contexts is in sharp contrast with the same neoliberal condemnation of the West-European pacifist movement. From a neoliberal perspective, pacifism is either the expression of political infantilism or the result of communist indoctrination. It is the author’s hypothesis that the pacifist movement and the political use of the notion ‘human rights’ is legitimated by a specific feature of modern culture: value generalisation. Western morality has become very abstract and is not confined to a particular social group but moral values are very fluid and mobile. The same value can be used in a variety of different contexts. Politicians can consume values instead of a life long commitment. Value generalisation creates the possibility of political opportunism. Pacifism results not only from the threat of total annihilation but is also legitimized by these abstract non ascriptive values. The right to live, a human right, is not restricted to the western peoples. So, the neoliberal use and abuse of the notion of human rights and the strong neoliberal opponent, the pacifist movement, both find their legitimation in modern, western abstract culture.

How to Cite:

Vincke, J., (1984) “Mensenrechten versus pacifisme: een cultuursociologische interpretatie van politiek opportunisme”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 29(2), 165–169. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.94874