Work what you've got

Quick thought from class before I necessarily move on to other nonsense (pending return soon after, I'm sure):

As discussed, the UDHR  may be emphasized via two general veins of thought, the ICCPR (civil and political rights) and the ICESCR (economic, social, and cultural rights). One theory put forth in the course of the conversation was that sub-Saharan Africa - quickly broadened to encompass all of Africa - would be presumed to focus on the latter of the two, naturally finding it more pressing to see to more basic, life-sustaining rights as opposed to ideological. This point I have to question, if only due to the rather common yet inaccurately generalizing view of lumping the roughly 50 states that make up Africa into one vast and vague idea. Please forgive me for not whipping out a map to actually count every one at the moment, but suffice it to say that it is, of course, a continent of many countries, rather than one country in and of itself.

But I digress. The thought, when it comes down to it: while I agree that logic may dictate an emphasis on ESCR before one can turn to the more abstract goals of CPR, it also seems noteworthy that a country's focusing on ESCR would require its putting forth the resources to do just that. ...And what if your country lacks the resources to even purport to provide the population with sufficient food, housing, work, etc? Would you still want to emphasize those rights as the most important? Frankly, I wouldn't. Emphasizing the value of that which you simply cannot do at the moment is not the most ideal political tactic, at least from my perspective. Why tell me how fantastic and crucial something is then fail to provide it, or even aid in my attaining it? Assuming I ultimately realize that you've failed to make good on these promises - which I will, as I sit hungrily along the side of the road, wishing I had all of those things - I am not likely to support or uphold your legitimacy.

Instead, we emphasize that which we have going for us, whatever little it may be. Take, for instance, my summer in Ghana - not in MENA, my apologies, but an African frame of reference and the only one I can personally supply at the moment. The country is known for its relative and gradually increasing success, particularly as a democracy (though relatively recent, after a series of military coups). Right to vote, freedom of expression, freedom of the press (what press there is), constant political debate (quality debatable) over radio and tv, etc etc: it's a work in progress, but progressing nonetheless.

Turn, then, from such CPR examples to the country's ability to manage ESCR. Food, shelter, and work available and guaranteed to all? Not at all. Eat what you can grow, catch, or scrounge up with a few cedis; live where you can (until the rainy season threatens to wash it away or the state relocates you); sell what you can make, grow, or get your hands on... do what you can, but the state can't guarantee it. And if the state can't guarantee it, would the state choose to emphasize it as the most crucial of rights? Probably not.

Of course, this varies pending circumstances, governmental system, national and international issues, etc etc, and the thoughts are rough, but hopefully you catch what I'm throwing. I'm not going to tell you 'x' is more important to you if I can only even begin to give you 'y.'