Kobe University Philosophy Study: Human Right to Democracy Analysis

This philosophical essay, published in Philosophy Study, Volume 3, Number 11, November 2013, by Tetsu Sakurai, explores the complex question of whether a human right to democracy is justifiable. The author examines arguments for and against this right, comparing the views of scholars like John Rawls and Thomas Christiano. The essay delves into the nuances of defining human rights, particularly considering the implications for foreign intervention and the concept of group rights. Sakurai argues for sensitivity when promoting democracy as a universal value, emphasizing the importance of considering political circumstances and infrastructure before intervention. The essay also addresses the holder of the human right to democracy, suggesting it should be understood as a group right pertaining to a population seeking self-determination. The author concludes that the establishment of a firm political identity is crucial for claiming and exercising this right.