The US has led the idea of adopting western rights across the world because it then makes foreign markets more palatable for its businesses.

Post-WW2 there was certainly some altruism in the ideas codified by the allies to prevent another fascist state from rising to power but since the adoption of neo-liberal ideology this has become less about altruism and more about giving McDonald’s more territories to operate in.

The USA’s 20th Century Empire wasn’t built by conquering territory but by conquering the business world and exporting its culture via Hollywood. I sound like I’m being negative but, at least at its peak this empire did give a whole generation opportunities not seen before or since in countries across the world.

Unfortunately power corrupts and the idea of preserving what one generation had built overrode the idea of providing opportunity for the next. Those in power sought to tear down rights and dignities to preserve their own.