Human Rights: Concept and Context

A lively introduction to the philosophy and history of human rights aimed at undergraduate and graduate readers. Covers the main concepts, debates and thinkers that have fleshed out the modern idea of human rights.

What are human rights? What justifies us in believing we have them? What are rights-holders and dutybearers? Who should bear the costs and responsibilities for making human rights real?

Why have some criticised the human rights perspective? And how can those supportive of human rights best respond?These and other conceptual issues are discussed in full in the first part of this book. The second part offers a detailed account of how the human rights idea came to be such a powerful force in the contemporary world; it traces the evolution of human rights from their origins to their present position in our daily lives, in political strugges, and in both national and international law.

CONTENTS:

Acknowledgements

Preface

PART ONE: CONCEPT

1. Basic Vocabulary and Core Concepts
2. Who Holds Human Rights?
3. What Justifies Human Rights?
4. What are the Objects of Our Human Rights?
5. Who Bears Which Duties?
6. Can Human Rights Withstand Criticism?

PART TWO: CONTEXT

1. History I: Origins to the Nineteenth Century
2. History II: Twentieth Century and Beyond

APPENDIX A

American Bill of Rights

French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

APPENDIX B

Human Rights Research Tool

INDEX