Question 1

Which of the following treaties was adopted the UN with U.S. leadership in 1948?

Accepted Answer

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 with leadership from the United States, setting a broad range of fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

Question 2

Which of the following treaties elaborates a variety of "positive" human rights?

Accepted Answer

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights elaborates "positive" human rights, which require proactive measures by the state to ensure rights such as education, health, and an adequate standard of living.

Question 3

Which of the following treaties elaborates a variety of "negative" human rights?

Accepted Answer

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights focuses on "negative" rights, which require the state to refrain from interfering in individual freedoms, such as the right to life, freedom of speech, and freedom from torture.

Question 4

Which of the following is a "positive" human right?

Accepted Answer

"Positive" human rights require action and resources to fulfill, such as the right to free medical care, which necessitates the provision of healthcare services.

Question 5

Which of the following helps explain U.S. reluctance to join multilateral human-rights treaties?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. often argues that its domestic legal protections for human rights are sufficient and sometimes even exceed international standards, reducing the perceived need to join multilateral treaties.

Question 6

Which of the following is not part of America's "rights culture" as defined by Andrew Moravcik?

Accepted Answer

Andrew Moravcsik defines America's "rights culture" as having a deep respect for the Constitution, a preference for negative human rights (those that protect individuals from government interference), and a partiality for local government institutions. A preference for multilateral human-rights conventions does not fit within this definition, as the U.S. often exhibits skepticism towards international human rights treaties, preferring a more unilateral or domestic approach to human rights.

Question 7

Which of the following feared that treaties might supersede the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

John Bricker was concerned that treaties might supersede the Constitution, leading to the proposal of the Bricker Amendment, which aimed to limit the power of treaties and executive agreements to alter U.S. law.

Question 8

Which of the following declared a "crusade for freedom" in support of anti-communist guerrilla forces fighting communist regimes?

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan declared a "crusade for freedom" as part of his foreign policy, which included support for anti-communist guerrilla forces in various parts of the world, notably in Latin America.

Question 9

Which of the following perspectives views human-rights policy on a case-by-case basis?

Accepted Answer

Pragmatism views human-rights policy on a case-by-case basis, emphasizing practical approaches and solutions to human rights issues rather than adhering strictly to ideological or theoretical frameworks.

Question 10

Which of the following have historically advocated universal application of human rights in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Nongovernmental groups (NGOs) have historically been at the forefront of advocating for the universal application of human rights in the U.S. They often work to hold institutions accountable and push for policy changes that ensure rights are upheld universally, without discrimination.

Question 11

Which of the following was not one of the "Four Freedoms" described by Franklin Roosevelt?

Accepted Answer

The "Four Freedoms" described by Franklin Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address were freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Freedom from slavery was not mentioned as one of these four, as it was already established as a fundamental right following the Civil War and the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

Question 12

Which of the following was appointed to represent Washington in establishing the UN Commission on Human Rights?

Accepted Answer

Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed to represent Washington in establishing the UN Commission on Human Rights, where she played a pivotal role, including serving as its first chairperson.

Question 13

Which of the following has been a barrier to U.S. influence in global human rights?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following has been a...

Question 14

Which of the following declared, "For too many years, we've been willing to adopt the flawed and erroneous principles and tactics of our adversaries, sometimes abandoning our own values for theirs"?

Accepted Answer

Jimmy Carter made this statement, reflecting his views on maintaining moral integrity and values in foreign policy and governance.

Question 15

Which of the following did critics point to as having been caused by Jimmy Carter's failure to protect U.S. interests?

Accepted Answer

Iran's Islamic Revolution is often cited as a significant foreign policy challenge during Jimmy Carter's presidency, where critics argue his administration failed to adequately support the Shah of Iran or effectively manage the subsequent crisis, leading to the establishment of an anti-American government.

Question 16

Which U.S. president propounded the Kirkpatrick Doctrine?

Accepted Answer

The Kirkpatrick Doctrine was propounded by Jeane Kirkpatrick, who was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during Ronald Reagan's presidency. This doctrine advocated for U.S. support of anti-communist regimes around the world, including authoritarian governments, if they were considered to be pro-American and less human rights abusive than the communist or leftist alternatives.

Question 17

In which of the following countries did human rights improve during the Reagan administration?

Accepted Answer

During the Reagan administration, human rights conditions improved in the Philippines, particularly with the end of Ferdinand Marcos's regime and the subsequent democratic transition.

Question 18

What did President George H.W. Bush do after China's army suppressed pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing in June 1989?

Accepted Answer

President George H.W. Bush sought to preserve U.S.-Chinese ties after the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing in June 1989, believing that maintaining a relationship with China was crucial for global stability and economic reasons.

Question 19

Where did President George H. W. Bush justify U.S. intervention by citing human-rights concerns?

Accepted Answer

President George H. W. Bush justified U.S. intervention in Panama by citing human-rights concerns, among other reasons. This intervention, known as Operation Just Cause, aimed to depose Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, who was involved in drug trafficking and had been accused of suppressing democracy and violating human rights.

Question 20

Which of the following put forward a doctrine of democratic enlargement?

Accepted Answer

Bill Clinton put forward a doctrine of democratic enlargement, which aimed to expand the community of democratic nations around the world as part of U.S. foreign policy.

Quiz 6: Democracy and Human Rights: Legitimate Objectives of American Policy