I think a better way to look at it is that rights are cultural, but that if we are serious about living in a decent and respectful world we should in our actions extend to others the rights we want to have ourselves.
Does free speech extend to advocating going out and killing all African Americans at a white supremacist rally? In the US it does, but only because of our bad experiences during the Red Scares. In Canada or the EU it wouldn't. What right do either side have to force their definitions on the other?
This being said, the argument can easily be made that spying is somewhat different. The general fear is that since governments monopolize violence their actions towards spying on their own must be more restrained than spying on others because the dangers in adopting a "show me the man and I will find you the crime" apply at home to a much greater degree than they apply abroad.
we should in our actions extend to others the rights we want to have ourselves
That belief is cultural too - it just so happens that almost every culture has independently arrived at it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule is a fascinating read.
I think there is a natural necessity that when you accept someone as an equal partner in a process, you assume they are like you are.
It goes the other way in not so great ways also that we tend to project those things we do not like about ourselves onto our enemies.
If someone accuses everyone else of being a thief, expect that the accuser is the one responsible, but the person who respects everyone is probably respectable himself.
What you quoted is actually the Silver Rule, which deals in negatives. It's also much easier to consistently apply without people hating your guts for being a condescending, paternalistic imperialist.
Does free speech extend to advocating going out and killing all African Americans at a white supremacist rally? In the US it does, but only because of our bad experiences during the Red Scares. In Canada or the EU it wouldn't. What right do either side have to force their definitions on the other?
This being said, the argument can easily be made that spying is somewhat different. The general fear is that since governments monopolize violence their actions towards spying on their own must be more restrained than spying on others because the dangers in adopting a "show me the man and I will find you the crime" apply at home to a much greater degree than they apply abroad.