Economic, social, and cultural development are fundamental rights of world citizens. Collectively referred to here as 'development', these rights are difficult to explicitly define. By virtue of international law granting people the right of self-determination, people are entitled to freely define their own economic, social, and cultural development. However, I present the case that the establishment of the state as an institution, the activities of non-governmental organizations, and the pressures of the market economy have undermined peoples freedom to economic, social, and cultural development. Consequently, I explain the outcomes of such an effect. Primarily that it has created a cohesion of social norms throughout the world. Regardless of one's opinion whether this is a positive or negative trend, the implications of the process need to be recognized to understand the present transformations of global citizenry, and more critically in regard to proper application of the right to self-determination.
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