Synopses & Reviews
Human rights, now a regular part of international relations, were not recognized as a legitimate subject of diplomatic concern prior to 1945. Jack Donnelly traces the rise of human rights issues after World War II, through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the dark days of the Cold War, the resurgence of interest during the Carter presidency, and the Reagan administrations resistance, up to the current postCold War era.Although concerned primarily with the international politics of human rights, the book includes a chapter on theoretical issues, including the moral basis of human rights, problems of cultural relativism, and the place of human rights in the contemporary international society of states. Case studies of human rights violations in Chile, Argentina, South Africa, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, as well as extensive illustrations drawn from other parts of the world, lend concreteness to the discussion. Throughout the volume, Donnelly gives attention not only to the realist emphasis on power and international anarchy but also to the reality and impact of moral concerns, interdependence, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations.Tables, boxes, photos, cartoons, and essential human rights documents accompany the text, along with features common to all Dilemmas in World Politics booksdiscussion questions, suggested readings, a chronology, and a glossary. International Human Rights is ideal for all levels of students in international relations, foreign policy, peace studies, international organizations, and law.
Synopsis
"A useful primer about internationally recognized human rights.... Donnelly knows the subject matter well, having written numerous scholarly works about human rights.... Highly recommended". Choice
"A useful and readable account that explains how and why human rights issues now feature so prominently in the international debate.... A welcome resource to those who teach international relations and human rights courses". Michael H. Posner Executive Director, Lawrence Committee for Human Rights
"The question often asked is 'where is a good starting place for learning about international human rights.' The answer now is Donnelly's International Human Rights. Eminently readable, chock-full of information, Donnelly's book is a must-read". Bert B. Lockwood Jr. Editor in Chief, Human Rights Quarterly
Human rights as we know them did not exist before 1945. Jack Donnelly traces the rise of human rights issues coming out of World War II and shows their transformation in the intervening years, including the post-Cold War agendas that have emerged since 1989. The central role of the UN and a comparative look at U.S./Western democratic approaches to human rights are highlighted in the book. Ideal for students in a variety of courses, International Human Rights includes figures, tables, boxes, photos, cartoons, discussion questions, suggested readings, and a glossary, as well as essential human rights documents.
Synopsis
Ideal for students in a variety of courses, this book is an excellent overview of the origins, development, and present state of the worldwide human rights movement.
About the Author
Jack Donnelly is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He has written numerous articles on human rights theory and practice that have appeared in journals such as American Political Science Review, World Politics, and Human Rights Quarterly. He is also the author of Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice.