Why do nations grant universal rights to foreigners? An analysis through various theories of international relations

dc.abstract.en	This thesis challenges the common assumption that rights, especially those granted to foreigners, are universal and self-evident. Through historical, legal, and theoretical analysis, it demonstrates that rights are contingent, strategic constructs shaped by state practices and international power dynamics. A historical survey reveals that rights to foreigners have varied across civilizations, reflecting pragmatic state interests rather than moral absolutes. Theoretical insights from five major schools of international relations converge in viewing rights as tools of governance—whether for legitimacy, coordination, or stability—rather than purely ethical mandates. Contemporary analysis shows that rights function as political achievements enforceable through institutional power, benefiting states that codify and reciprocally uphold them by enhancing international cooperation and competitiveness. Ultimately, extending rights to foreigners signals state strength and strategic foresight, reframing rights not as altruism but as instruments of durable political order and international advantage.
dc.affiliation	Uniwersytet Warszawski
dc.affiliation.department	Wydział Nauk Politycznych i Studiów Międzynarodowych
dc.contributor.author	Voss, Jakob
dc.contributor.promoter	Gocłowska-Bolek, Joanna
dc.contributor.reviewer	Wróbel, Anna
dc.contributor.reviewer	Gocłowska-Bolek, Joanna
dc.date.defence	2025-07-23
dc.date.issued	2025
dc.date.submitted	2025-07-11
dc.identifier.apd	238150
dc.language	en
dc.language.other	pl
dc.publisher	Uniwersytet Warszawski
dc.rights	ClosedAccess
dc.subject.en	Competitive advantage
dc.subject.en	international law
dc.subject.en	jurisprudence
dc.subject.en	legal theory
dc.subject.en	reciprocity
dc.subject.en	rights of foreigners
dc.subject.en	state sovereignty
dc.subject.en	strategic interests
dc.subject.en	treaty law
dc.subject.en	universal rights
dc.title	Why do nations grant universal rights to foreigners? An analysis through various theories of international relations
dc.title.alternative	Dlaczego narody przyznają cudzoziemcom prawa uniwersalne? Analiza z perspektywy różnych szkół stosunków międzynarodowych
dc.type	BachelorThesis