
Debating Rights Inflation in Canada
A Sociology of Human Rights
Dominique Clement(Author)
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Published on 30. October 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
174 pages
978-1-77112-244-3 (ISBN)
Description
Human rights has become the dominant vernacular for framing social problems around the world. In this book, Dominique Clement presents a paradox in politics, law, and social practice: he argues that whereas framing grievances as human rights violations has become an effective strategy, the increasing appropriation of rights-talk to frame any and all grievances undermines attempts to address systemic social problems. His argument is followed by commentator response from several leading human rights scholars and practitioners in Canada and abroad who bridge the divide between academia, public policy, and practice.
Reviews / Votes
In Canada, as in many other advanced countries, human rights have proliferated, leading many commentators to proclaim that rights have triumphed over other modes of social organization. Perhaps so, but Dominique Clement worries that rights inflation beyond the protection of core interests paradoxically interferes with broader efforts to achieve social justice. In this fascinating book, Clement lays out a powerful account of the dark side of the Canadian experience of human rights. Four responses by leading experts give the reader numerous perspectives on this difficult problem. Eric Posner, Professor, University of Chicago Law School "In Canada, as in many other advanced countries, human rights have proliferated, leading many commentators to proclaim that rights have triumphed over other modes of social organization. Perhaps so, but Dominique Clement worries that 'rights inflation' beyond the protection of core interests paradoxically interferes with broader efforts to achieve social justice. In this fascinating book, Clement lays out a powerful account of the dark side of the Canadian experience of human rights. Four responses by leading experts give the reader numerous perspectives on this difficult problem." --Eric Posner, Professor, University of Chicago Law School -- Eric PosnerMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
181 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-77112-244-3 (9781771122443)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dominique Clement is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta. He is the author of Human Rights in Canada: A History (WLU Press, 2016), Canada's Rights Revolution, and Equality Deferred, as well as the co-editor of Alberta's Human Rights Story and Debating Dissent. His website, HistoryOfRights.ca, serves as research and teaching portal on the study of human rights.
Content
Rights Inflation in Canada - Dominique Clement
Commentary: The Right Investment in Rights - Nathalie DesRosiers
Commentary: Too Many Rights? - Pearl Eliadis
Commentary: Liberalism, Social Democracy, and Human Rights - Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann
Commentary: Historical Contingency and Human Rights Pluralism - Gert Verschraegen
Contributors
Notes
Index
Commentary: The Right Investment in Rights - Nathalie DesRosiers
Commentary: Too Many Rights? - Pearl Eliadis
Commentary: Liberalism, Social Democracy, and Human Rights - Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann
Commentary: Historical Contingency and Human Rights Pluralism - Gert Verschraegen
Contributors
Notes
Index