International Relations Practices
Discuss about the Comprehensive Evaluation of the Similarities and Differences between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man.
The term international relation is a self-explanatory expression indication
towards the engagement of one country with any foreign state. Initially, at the beginning of the civilized world, maximum states of the world were mutually coupled with one another. However, with the rise in technology and globalization, advancements in a particular state directly or indirectly impact other countries (Mingst and Arreguín-Toft, 2013). Therefore, in the contemporary scenario, the sates started maintaining a customary relation with the outside world to maintain the competency factor. In order to gain a sustainable and overall development, it becomes mandatory for a state to maintain external relations with certainty as an individual body cannot survive the present era of competitiveness. The foremost factors, which promoted the matter of international relations among different states, are religion, economy, industrialization, materialistic needs, trade and other security affairs (Thompson, 2017).
In the simple context, international relation practices function as a core factor of any state as it helps the country in dealing with the foreign world for various actions such as trade, globalization, politics, and economy (Jackson and Sørensen, 2016). Considering these aspects, a comprehensive discussion about the contemplations of international relation is projected in this study. To present an enlightening and informative piece of research work, similarities and differences between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are also incorporated in this study. Overall, it can be inferred that this essay is formulated in a practical manner to discuss the concept of international relations along with the considerations of similarities and differences of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man. Considerable analysis of the relevant academic literature of the proposed topic will further facilitate the aim and objectives of this study.
The American Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress meeting, which was held at the Pennsylvania State House/Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The following declaration publicized that the thirteen American colonies, which were in war with the Kingdom of Great Britain will be regarded as the thirteen independent sovereign states of America without any rule of the British government over them. The declaration empowered the states to formulate a collective region known as United States of America (White, 2012). To ensure the publicized declaration, various representatives from New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North California, South California, Georgia, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, New Jersey and Maryland were invited and on July 2, the declaration was passed and accepted without any opposing votes. Furthermore, a committee of five officials was readily drafted for the declaration, when Congress voted for Independence (Deloria Jr, 2010).
American Declaration of Independence
On another side, in the history of the French Revolution and human civil rights, Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1789 is an official document by the National Constituent Assembly of France in the year 1789. General Lafayette and Honoré Mirabeau are the two main bodies responsible for the drafting of this declaration (Walton, 2009). The principal orientation behind the proposed declaration is the influence of the doctrine of “natural rights”. The belief further elaborates that human rights are universal for everyone at all times and at every place. Moreover, it also proceeded as the constitutions for the Fourth French Republic (1946) as well as Fifth Republic (1958) and even active till date. The declaration was formulated by inspiring from the Enlightenment philosophers, which further presented values to the French Revolution and influenced the development of freedom and democracy in regions of Europe (Lefebvre, 2015).
The American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are relatively associated to each other in various manners. Both the declarations comprise various measures, which compliment the considerations on the basis of one another. The foremost similarity between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is deliberation of policies for the benefit of the people. In the simple context, both the declarations are aligned to strategic policies, which can be transformed later for the good of the people (Ritchie, 2014). This clearly indicates towards the government’s concern for the betterment of the population. It is also a potential similarity between both the declarations due to the relevancy of perception. In addition to this, both the declarations are potentially aligned to validate the individual human rights of the people. The consideration of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are strictly formulated according to human rights. Even, according to the declarations, every individual is guaranteed with personal human rights and no person or official can violate the rights of other (Maier, 2012).
Another firm similarity between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is the authority and supremacy provided to the Governor. According to both the declarations, the governor of the state is empowered by the influence to sanction, pass or transform any law for the betterment and development of the population. In the simple context, governor of the state is facilitated with certain powers in both the declarations to manage the judicial practices on personal grounds. Considering this, the governor is assigned the superlative power to pass laws, which means all the people (Wills, 2018). Even more, the right of choosing law for every individual is also a possessed similarity between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man. Both the declarations are flexible and compatible with human rights as they provide complete backing for citizens to choose laws. It further generates a sense of belongingness and relativity among the population towards the government as administration of the state is highly concerned for the people’s development and betterment. Also, such implications promote the relations of equality and harmony among the state because all the people are considered to be belonging from the same ground (Wills, 2018).
French Declaration of the Rights of Man
In addition to this, another similarity, which relates the contemplation of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is the operational practices of the judicial systems. Both the declarations clearly mentioned that every individual of the country is innocent till he/she is proved guilty by the trial by jury with certain evidence or proof. This means that both the declarations facilitate the people by judicial facilities (Paine, 2011). The individual will remain innocent and cannot be convicted until any jury declares it as guilty of certain evidence and proof. Such policies are imperative from the perspective of human rights as it offers a fair opportunity to every individual to justify the imposed charges and claims. Furthermore, both the declarations are centrally surrounded for the benefit of people; therefore, it is considered that every individual residing in a state is born free. No obligations, implementations, and restrictions can hinder the living of the person and also, every citizen is free to live the life in a preferred manner. Moreover, it also states that every individual is born free from all the barriers, which means he/she cannot be bounded in the terms of caste, religion, race or culture. The individual is free in all aspects of living life without compromising the judicial and law culture of the culture (Paine, 2011).
Henceforth, it is evident from the following discussions that both, the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are considerably associated with each other in various manners. Even the perception and policies of both the declarations are effectively allied with each other for the overall and sustainable development of the people of the state. The primary apprehension associated with both the declarations is the well-being of the population. In order to validate the concern, prominent policies for the living, law, judiciary, supremacy, and rights are formulated in the declarations (Brownlie and Goodwin-Gill, 2010). Overall, the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are highly identical to a certain level for the good of the people.
Apart from the similarities possessed by the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, there are many differences between them too. Purpose of the revolution is the foremost difference between them, which differentiate the declarations from the ground. Out of the two, one revolution was initiated against a leader, whereas, another revolution was publicized against the entire upper-class population of the society. Furthermore, tax regulations were further varied in both the declarations. According to the consideration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, tax policies are not necessary and representation is also neither legal nor illegal (Scott, 2009). Whereas, according to the Declaration of Independence, it was strictly considered illegal. Furthermore, during the American Revolution, the king of the state was responsible for attack over people. On another hand, during the French Revolution, the aristocracy was least involved in the wars or other harmful processes. Involvement of the king and other officials in the revolutionary war lead to disruption among the citizens and population of the state. Besides, as per the American declarations, the officials of the king were granted permission to go to any house of the state and do whatever they wish to do. In contrary to this, the French declaration remained untouched with any such problems (Mahoney, 2008). The administrators, as well as the officials of the French Declaration, were assigned supervision work without any influence of the external bodies.
Similarities and Differences
Another basic difference between both the declarations is their dates of publicizing. The American Declaration of Independence was declared in the year 1776, whereas, the French Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizens was enacted 13 years later to it. The intention behind the American Declaration of Independence was to gain freedom as it was believed that the rule of British colonialism and royalty obstruct the free practices of the people. However, the French declaration was announced against the upper-class population of the state. The principle of the declaration was to create freedom and equality among the upper as well as lower class people (Israel, 2014). In addition to this, American citizens wanted to escape from the tax regulations and militant nature of the British Empire, nevertheless, French declaration was constituted to provide recognition to the poor and working class by the upper-class citizens. Furthermore, it was also channeled that the poor and lower class people should not be avoided and neglected by the nobility and royalty. Thus, the American declaration was postulated to attempt and fight for freedom, conversely, the French declaration was intended to make effective enforcement of rules of equality. Also, the American Revolution ended in the year 1783, while, the French revolution ended in 1799. Thus, it also matters of difference for both the declarations (Peters, 2012).
Furthermore, the declaration of America was a projected breaking up of Britain from the thirteen colonies. The declaration of natural rights such as freedom, life, and happiness was strictly measured in that and also instituted the government to safeguard the laws and rights provided to the people. The declaration sternly commanded that no government body can violate the terms and policies of natural human rights. In case, the government is found inefficient in protecting and safeguarding the human rights, the individual is motorized to overthrow the existing government and make a new government (Waldron, 2014). In contrary to this, the Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizens was drawn from the John Locke’s idea of natural rights, which further justified the overthrowing of the government. Both the declarations are found identical in terms of inspiration or ideas and similar language, still, a vast difference of perception and attributes lies in between both the declarations. Overall, considering the declaration of America, it was programmed in a manner to create a separate and independent government. The communities under the British rule got tired from the operational strategies of Great Britain. Nevertheless, the declaration of France was presented to redefine current government. The people working in France at lower designations had no rights and government was even unfair about it. The objective of the declaration was to fix the traditional policies of the government without breaking from it. The declaration of America emphasized freedom and making independent government for self. Whilst, the declaration of France was more aligned with freedom and fairness of the people (Nash, 2009).
Policies for the benefit of the people
Thus, the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man posses numerous difference among them. Though, both the revolutions initiated with the similar purpose for the betterment and overall development of the citizens. Despite, there are various differences between them. It can be inferred that regardless of the central idea of initiation, the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man are diverse in nature, operation and outcome.
Conclusion
On the basis of aforementioned discussions, it can be concluded that international relations deal with the association of a country with the outside world. It helps in maintaining a considerable association with the outside world. Along with this, it will also facilitate the state in remaining updated with the contemporary ongoing of the external world. Overall, attributes of international relations generate a sense of connectivity for the country with the world across the geographical boundary. Considering this aspect, a research study is undertaken to make a crucial understanding of the international relations. Furthermore, to validate the proposed objective, a comprehensive evaluation of similarity and differences between the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is also incorporated in the study. The American revolution was initiated to escape from the British rulers, however, the French revolution was started to bring equality and freedom for the lower-class citizens of the state.
Along with this, the following research study has discussed all the aspects of international relations in detail. Moreover, to make the assignment more informative, an overview of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is also discussed. Afterward, a detailed and crucial analysis of the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man is made in the essay to present enlightening research content. The following section discussed all the dealings of both the declarations. Furthermore, a critical and comprehensive study of the similarities and differences of both the declarations is considered in this research study, which justified the objectives and aim of this assignment to a great extent. Even more, the findings and outcomes of the following section are relatively necessary as it is purposeful insight in this essay. Overall, it can be concluded that the formulation of this research study has potentially justified the aim of this essay. In addition to this, the discussions, arguments, and findings of this study is a significant piece of academic research for the upcoming and aspiring research in the domain of international relations
References
Adler, E., 2013. Constructivism in international relations: sources, contributions, and debates. Handbook of international relations, 2, pp.112-144.
Baylis, J., Smith, S. and Owens, P. eds., 2017. The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations. Oxford University Press.
Brownlie, I. and Goodwin-Gill, G.S. eds., 2010. Brownlie’s documents on human rights. Oxford University Press.
Deloria Jr, V., 2010. Behind the trail of broken treaties: An Indian declaration of independence. University of Texas Press.
Gilpin, R., 2016. The political economy of international relations. Princeton University Press.
Israel, J., 2014. Revolutionary ideas: an intellectual history of the French Revolution from the Rights of Man to Robespierre. Princeton University Press.
Jackson, R. and Sørensen, G., 2016. Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches. Oxford university press.
Lefebvre, G., 2015. The coming of the French Revolution. Princeton University Press.
Mahoney, J., 2008. The challenge of human rights: origin, development and significance.
Maier, P., 2012. American scripture: Making the declaration of independence. Vintage.
Mingst, K.A. and Arreguín-Toft, I.M., 2013. Essentials of International Relations: Sixth International Student Edition. WW Norton & Company.
Nash, K., 2009. Between citizenship and human rights. sociology, 43(6), pp.1067-1083.
Onuf, N.G., 2012. World of our making: rules and rule in social theory and international relations. Routledge.
Paine, T., 2011. Rights of man (No. 718). Broadview Press.
Peters, M.A., 2012. Prologue. In Obama and The End of the American Dream (pp. 1-7). SensePublishers, Rotterdam.
Ritchie, D.G., 2014. Natural rights: a criticism of some political and ethical conceptions. Routledge.
Scott, J.W., 2009. Only paradoxes to offer: French feminists and the rights of man. Harvard University Press.
Thompson, P., 2017. Peace and war: a theory of international relations. Routledge.
Waldron, J., 2014. Nonsense Upon Stilts (Routledge Revivals): Bentham, Burke and Marx on the Rights of Man. Routledge.
Walton, C., 2009. Policing Public Opinion in the French Revolution: The Culture of Calumny and the Problem of Free Speech. OUP USA.
White, A.G., 2012. A Global Projection of Subjective Well-being: A Challenge To Positive Psychology? Psychtalk 56.
Wills, G., 2018. Inventing America: Jefferson’s declaration of independence. Vintage.
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