The American Road to a Human Rights Policy

Abstract

In 1981, as I left the U.S. presidency, I said, ``America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense …human rights invented America.''1 The United States is founded---indeed, predicated---on the principles enshrined in the Declaration ofIndependence and our Bill of Rights. The pursuit ofliberty and of human freedom that united this nation in revolution continues to bind us together and to create a special role for America in the world. We invent a new, more responsible America every time we take the lead in attempting to secure and expand basic human rights at home and abroad. This does not mean we should appoint ourselves the world policeman. It means we must use our awesome resources to function both as a responsible and participatory world citizen and as a world leader.