Michael Freeman

Human Rights

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Human Rights is an introductory text that is both innovative and challenging. It invites students to think conceptually about one of the most important and influential political concepts of our time. In this unique interdisciplinary approach, Michael Freeman emphasizes the complex ways in which the experiences of the victims of human rights violations are related to legal, philosophical and social-scientific approaches to human rights. By tracing the history of the concept, the book shows that there is a fundamental tension between the philosophy of human rights and the way in which it is understood in the social sciences. This analysis throws light on some of the most controversial issues in the field: Is the idea of the universality of human rights consistent with respect for cultural difference? Are there collective human rights? Should feminists embrace, revise or reject the idea of human rights? Does the idea of human rights distract our attention from the structural causes of oppression and exploitation? What are the underlying causes of human rights violations? And why do some countries have much worse human rights records than others? The book will appeal to students in the social sciences, as well as students of human rights law who want an introduction to the non-legal aspects of their subject. It will also be read by scholars interested in ethics and the social sciences, as well as the general reader.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Polity Press
• Seitenzahl: 216
• Erscheinungstermin: 10. Oktober 2002
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 216mm x 140mm x 16mm
• Gewicht: 417g
• ISBN-13: 9780745623559
• ISBN-10: 0745623557
• Artikelnr.: 22292277

Autorenporträt

Michael Freeman is Reader in Government at the University of Essex.

Inhaltsangabe

PrefaceAcknowledgements1. Introduction: Thinking about Human Rights2. Origins: The Rise and Fall of Natural Rights3. After 1945: The New Age of Rights4. Theories of Human Rights5. Putting Law in its Place: the Role of the Social Sciences6. Universality, Diversity and Difference Culture and Human Rights7. The Politics of Human Rights8. Globalization, Development and Poverty: Economics and Human Rights9. Conclusion: Human Rights in the Twenty-first CenturyReferences

Rezensionen

'This is a terrific interdisciplinary introduction to human rights. Freeman discusses history, philosophy, theory, the UN human rights system and many of the real-life human rights challenges of the modern era, including culture, corporations and global poverty. I strongly recommend his lucid survey and lively analysis.'Paul Hunt, University of Essex'Serious students of international human rights continue to have a range of good sources to rely on, and Michael Freeman's fine text is certainly one of them.'David P. Forsythe, University of Nebraska

"Freeman's discussion of human rights spans a remarkable range of eras, concepts, and disciplines. Tying it all together are his consistent commitment to showcase multiple sides of debates and the clarity of his writing. Complex yet accessible - a rare combination."
Shareen Hertel, Professor of Political Science & Human Rights, University of Connecticut

"Michael Freeman is one of the leading and most reliable theorists of human rights. In this latest edition of Human Rights, he offers a detailed and objective perspective upon contemporary human-rights challenges, whilst also proposing ways in which we might more effectively engage with these challenges in the years ahead. His book should be essential reading for students and established academics alike."
Andrew Fagan, Director, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex

"Michael Freeman is a long-time and careful observer of internationally recognized human rights. Students and faculty alike always benefit from his insights into that subject covering both theory and practice. There are sound reasons for his being a well-known scholar on that important topic."
David Forsythe, University of Nebraska

"As we strain to make human rights 'real' in a range of sectors, such as education, health and housing, we need educationalists, health professionals, housing experts, and those working in other disciplines. The watchword is interdisciplinarity. Freeman provides a top-notch interdisciplinary introduction to the foundations of human rights for everyone wanting to make human rights relevant in the everyday lives of everybody."
Paul Hunt, Chief Human Rights Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission