The following article therefore deals both with key practical examples of the real bases of human rights and democracy and relates them to Marx’s epoch-making analysis – which provides the foundation for all real examination of the issues of human rights and democracy. It is an expanded version of a speech made on these issues to a conference organised by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 December.
This article therefore deals with:
· What are the real differences regarding human rights and democracy between the US and China?
· Why China’s position on human rights and democracy, in the real life of real human beings, is far superior to the US?
· How Marx analysed the fundamental issues on these questions - and why his framework could be expanded from his own first analysis to all the most important issues of humanity’s life?
· What is the real character of the US pseudo “summit on democracy”?
“Democracy” means the people rule – what are the practical implications of this?
The word democracy in European languages, derives from two Greek words “demos (people)” and “kratos (rule)”. So, “democracy” means literally “rule by the people”.
Democracy is presented as integrally linked to human rights, that is “people’s rights”. This is correct and will be used here. This reality shows that China’s framework and delivery on human rights and democracy is far superior to the “West’s”.
But, contrary to this fundamental concept of “rule by the people” an attempt is made in the West, more accurately by capitalist countries, to claim that democracy is instead defined purely in terms of certain formal and official structures which they possess – for example Parliament, so called “pision of powers” etc. This is false. The issue of democracy is about how much in reality “rule by the people” exists.
The position of women in China and India shows the fake US definition of human rights
To illustrate the real issues involved in the issue of human rights and democracy let us start with an enormous practical example affecting almost one fifth of humanity – women’s position in China and India.