Political Science Notes Chapter 6 International Problems Class 9 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – Political Science Class 9
1. Human Rights

What Are Human Rights?

• Human rights are basic rights we get because we are humans, like the right to live, eat, wear clothes, have a home, education, and health.
• They come from “natural rights,” which we have just because we’re born.
• Long ago, the American and French Revolutions called these rights liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice.

How Did Human Rights Grow?

• People realized a democratic government is needed to protect these rights, so many countries made democratic rules.
• After the UN started, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made on December 10, 1948.
• In 1966, the UN made two big rules:
  • ICCPR: Civil and Political Rights (like freedom to speak).
  • ICESCR: Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (like the right to work).
• These rules are part of international law, and UN countries must follow them.

Human Rights Today:

• During the Cold War, the UN talked about racism in Africa and freedom for colonies.
• Now, human rights also include fighting racism, terrorism, diseases, and protecting the environment.
• There are 30 articles in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, covering civil rights (freedom) and economic rights (work, equal pay).
• In 1959, the UN also made a Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

Human Rights in India:

• In India’s Constitution, human rights are called Fundamental Rights.
• The government must protect weaker groups like women and minorities.
• In 1993, India passed the Human Rights Protection Act and set up the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commissions to handle complaints about rights violations.

2. Secure Environment

Why Is Environment Important?

• A safe environment is now seen as a human right because we need clean air, water, and land to live well.
• In the 1970s, people noticed that industries, energy use, and chemicals were harming nature.
• The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, to raise awareness.

Problems of Environmental Damage:

• Pollution from factories, vehicles, chemicals, and nuclear plants makes the environment unsafe.
• Effects include:
  • Animals and plants disappearing.
  • Less fertile soil, less water, changing rain patterns.
  • Global warming, drying rivers, polluted seas, new diseases, acid rain, and a thinning ozone layer.
• Some problems stay in one country, but many spread globally and last a long time.

Global Action for Environment:

• Countries started working together because pollution doesn’t stop at borders.
• Stockholm Conference (1972):
  • Held from June 5-16 in Sweden by the UN.
  • Said all countries must fight pollution together.
  • Developing countries said rich countries caused more damage and should do more.
  • Non-government groups (NGOs) joined too.
  • The UN made the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) after this.
• Rio Conference (1992):
  • Talked about sustainable development (using nature without harming it).
  • Made rules about biodiversity, climate change, and forests.
• Kyoto Conference (1997):
  • Set rules for rich countries to stop climate change (lasted 15 years).
• Paris Conference (2015):
  • Held in November; asked all countries to stop global warming.
  • Rich countries were told to help poor ones with technology.

3. Terrorism

What Is Terrorism?

• Terrorism is when people use violence or threats to scare others for political goals.
• It’s planned and organized, not random.
• It attacks innocent people, not just borders, to challenge a government or country.

Why Is It a Global Problem?

• Many countries face terrorism, and no country can stop it alone.
• Unlike regular wars (between countries), terrorism can happen anywhere, anytime.
• It threatens a country’s safety inside and outside, not just its borders.

What Can Be Done?

• Countries need to share security plans and work together to stop terrorists.

4. Problems of Refugees

Who Are Refugees?

• Refugees are people forced to leave their home country because of war, torture, or disasters.
• Examples:
  • Jews in Germany before World War II.
  • People from East Pakistan coming to India in 1971.
  • Syrians leaving due to war recently.

Why Do They Leave?

• They face danger from war, racism, religion, or natural disasters.

Problems They Face:

• Deciding where to go and if they’ll be welcomed.
• Traveling with family is hard-facing heat, rain, hunger, or enemies.
• After reaching safety, they struggle with jobs, homes, and fitting into a new culture.

Problems for Host Countries:

• Too many refugees can strain food, jobs, and money in the new country.
• Crime or fights with locals can increase.

Global Help:

• In 1951, the UN made rules: refugees can’t be forced back to danger.
• The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) helps solve their problems.