Description
Book SynopsisThis important work argues that human rights abuse is not necessarily about distant places and peoples, and it is neither incomprehensible nor inevitable. Despite the appearance of consensus about the importance of human rights protection, abusewith its common core in inequalityis expanding at all levels from the petty to the profound. Designed to inform and inspire, this book also provides the analytical and strategic tools needed for the next generation of activists. Jan Knippers Black offers a fundamental reexamination of the basic terms and concepts, legal and institutional foundations, controversies, cleavages, threats and strategies associated with human rights. Black''s perspective is holistic, stressing the relevance of human rights issues to all human needs and endeavors and requiring multidisciplinary analysis. Chapters analyzing connections among political, economic, ecological, and cultural impacts on social and individual well-being are accompanied by case studies highlighting lessons learned from success or failure. This empowering book seeks to promote an each for all commitment, breaking through barriers of ignorance and apathy, denial and despair, so that advocates and activists can work to prevent future atrocities.
Trade ReviewBlack has a keen eye for the abuses of power, and especially for the ways that the concentration of economic wealth impacts respect for human rights. Full of a savvy distrust for politicians and the powerful everywhere, Black nevertheless prioritizes making governments responsible. . . . Black includes some helpful references to templates developed by European agencies, especially for assessing economic and development projects, but applicable to other policies as well. * Fellowship *
A stark and powerful portrayal of rights under challenge, drawing lessons particularly from circumstances in which justice has prevailed over impunity. Black's deep understanding of her topic is highlighted by her masterful analysis of the Chilean situation before, during, and after military dictatorship enshrouded the country. -- Judge Juan Guzmán Tapia, prosecutor of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet
Jan Black has written a one-of-a-kind primer on protecting the sanctity of human rights—legal, moral, social, political, economic, and cultural. If ever there was a scholarly preemptive strike against future abuses of human rights, this book is it. -- Peter Kornbluh, author of The Pinochet File
A valuable addition to the literature, full of examples, case studies, and lessons learned from all over the world. Crisscrossing disciplinary boundaries, Black offers effective strategies for human rights protection. -- Julianne Cartwright-Traylor, former chair, board of directors, Amnesty International USA
This very timely work challenges us to probe the systemic roots of rights abuse, to see that so long as some among us are unprotected, none of us is safe, and that changing the course of history is not a spectator sport—we all rise or fall together. -- Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP
Jan Knippers Black, a great advocate for human rights and against U.S. international interventionism and war, shows convincingly how practical advance activism can prevent disastrous impacts on human rights. -- Fred Harris, former U.S. Senator and coeditor of Locked in the Poorhouse
With her usual verve, clarity, scholarship, and even humor, Jan Black gives us a fascinating guidebook to the past and future of human rights and a practical guide to building a more equitable and caring world. -- Riane Eisler, author of The Real Wealth of Nations
Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Human Rights Perspective and the Need for Impact Assessment Part I: The Politics of a Human Rights Agenda Chapter 2: What's in a Name? Deconstructing Human Rights Terms and Concepts Chapter 3: The Dialectics of Building an International Human Rights Regime Chapter 4: Human Rights Cleavages and Controversies: The Discourse Part II: The Right to Eat: Social and Economic Rights Chapter 5: The Globalization of Vulnerability Chapter 6: From the Ashes: Argentina's Return from Meltdown Part III: The Right to Belong: Civil and Political Rights Chapter 7: Participation and Accountability Chapter 8: Wayfarers in a Walled-Up World Chapter 9: Chile's Long Way Home Part IV: The Right to be Different: Cultural Rights Chapter 10: The Political Dimensions of Diversity Chapter 11: Feminism, Democracy, and Self-Determination: The Taiwanese Experience Part V: The Right to the Commons: Environmental Rights Chapter 12: The Naked Ape in Nature: Master or Guardian? Chapter 13: China's Three Gorges: The Dam and the Damned Part VI: The Right to a Just Peace Chapter 14: From Sustainable War to Sustainable Peace Chapter 15: Against All Odds: East Timor's Quest for Independence Part VII: The Elephant in the Room Chapter 16: Empire as a State of War Chapter 17: Terror and the War to End All Rights Part VIII: Strategic Focus: No Promised Land in Denial Valley Chapter 18: Cautious Mainstreaming, Constructive Subversion Conclusion: Playing from Strength Appendix: Human Rights Impact Assessment: Tips and Tools
