Abstract 摘要
This paper explores whether universal human rights is a form of cultural imperialism. The findings indicate that those who argue that universal human rights is not a form of cultural imperialism support their argument with the assertion that human beings irrespective of their cultural background or citizenry have specific rights and privileges that must be respected. In addition, the proponents of these rights affirm that whereas the idea of universal human rights emanated from the West, it does not necessarily imply that Western countries have ulterior motive to extend imperial rule through cultural imperialism. Whereas this is the case, the findings reveal that universal human rights undermine the cultures and traditions of other countries around the globe, thus giving the western cultures to prosper in such nations. Furthermore, since the enforcement of universal human rights conflicts with some local cultures, religion and traditional practices, successful enforcement means rejecting the local cultures and adopting the western culture, thus creating room for cultural imperialism.
本文探讨了普遍人权是否是一种文化帝国主义。调查结果表明，那些认为普遍人权不是一种文化帝国主义的人支持他们的论点，认为人类不论其文化背景或公民都有必须尊重的特定权利和特权。此外，这些权利的支持者申明，尽管普遍人权的理念源自西方，但这并不一定意味着西方有通过文化帝国主义扩大帝国主义统治的别有用心。事实就是这样，调查结果表明，普遍人权破坏了全球其他的文化和传统，从而使西方文化在这些繁荣。此外，由于普遍人权的实施与一些当地文化、宗教和传统习俗相冲突，成功的实施意味着拒绝当地文化，接受西方文化，从而为文化帝国主义创造空间。
Introduction 介绍
Human rights is one of the issues that has attracted significant attention and elicited emotions not only in society but also among key local and international institutions. The issue, which gained traction after the end of the World War II, has become a central political doctrine as far as international politics are concerned (Langlois 2007). The proponents of human rights think that through enacting human rights laws, regulations and policies, government as well as institutions can be able to prevent the violation of the rights of human beings as was the case during the events of the Second World War. Importantly, over the years, there have been calls for establishment of universal human rights, thus forcing governments across the globe to conform to specific laws that pertain to protection of the rights of people living within their jurisdiction. Whereas this is the case, there are concerns that promoting universalism in human rights creates a foundation for the growth of cultural imperialism. This paper explores whether an attempt to build universal human rights is a form of cultural imperialism. Notably, promoting universal human rights is tantamount to supporting cultural imperialism.
人权问题不仅在社会上，而且在关键的地方和国际机构中引起了极大的关注和情绪。这一问题在第二次世界大战结束后得到关注，就国际政治而言，它已成为一个中心政治学说（Langlois 2007）。人权倡导者认为，通过颁布人权法律、条例和政策，政府和机构能够防止侵犯人权，就像第二次世界大战期间的情况一样。重要的是，多年来，有人呼吁建立普遍人权，从而迫使全球各国政府遵守有关保护其管辖范围内人民权利的具体法律。尽管如此，有人担心在人权中提倡普遍主义为文化帝国主义的发展奠定了基础。本文探讨了建立普遍人权的企图是否是一种文化帝国主义。值得注意的是，促进普遍人权等同于支持文化帝国主义。