Flaunting the Laws

Emilie Hafner-Burton discusses the limited applicability of human rights laws, noting their effectiveness in stable democracies but challenges in repressive states. She highlights the redundancy of these laws in highly democratic countries and the risks of noncompliance, which can undermine the legitimacy of the legal system.

What conditions are necessary for human rights laws to be effective in a country?

• A strong military presence

• Lack of civil society engagement

• Independent courts and free press

• High levels of corruption

Why do human rights laws have limited impact in highly democratic countries?

• They are opposed by the public

• They are too complex to implement

• They are redundant due to existing domestic laws

• They are not enforced by the government

In which type of countries are human rights laws most likely to be applicable?

• Countries with no legal system

• Countries with ongoing dictatorships

• Newly democratizing countries

• Highly democratic countries

What is a potential risk of expanding human rights laws in repressive states?

• Increased compliance with the laws

• Improved international relations

• Strengthening of the legal system

• Undermining the legitimacy of the laws

How does the analogy of traffic laws relate to human rights laws?

• Both are easy to comply with

• Both are universally accepted

• Both can lose legitimacy if widely ignored

• Both are strictly enforced