Should economic development precede the protection of civil and political rights? To some extent the answer should definitely be yes. In order for human rights to be protected by the state in the modern nation-state framework, certain institutions in the state apparatus are necessary to guarantee justice, and this system should somehow be monitored. This requires physical infrastructure such as communication and transportation as well as basic education and training for government officials. Political will alone is not enough. Even for the kinds of rights and liberties with which states are expected not to interfere, such as the right to association or freedom of expression, conscience and opinion, the state … Continue reading Akio Kawamura （川村暁雄）