
Can Globalization Promote Human Rights?
Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann(Author)
Pennsylvania State University Press
Will be published approx. on 15. February 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-0-271-03691-5 (ISBN)
Description
Globalization has affected everyone's lives, and the reactions to it have been mixed. Legal scholars and political scientists tend to emphasize its harmful aspects, while economists tend to emphasize its benefits. Those concerned about human rights have more often been among the critics than among the supporters of globalization. In Can Globalization Promote Human Rights? Rhoda Howard-Hassmann presents a balanced account of the negative and positive features of globalization in relation to human rights, in both their economic and civil/political dimensions.
On the positive side, she draws on substantial empirical work to show that globalization has significantly reduced world poverty levels, even while, on the negative side, it has exacerbated economic inequality across and within countries. Ultimately, she argues, social action and political decision making will determine whether the positive effects of globalization outweigh the negatives. And, in contrast to those who prefer either schemes for redistributing wealth on moral grounds or authoritarian socialist approaches, she makes the case for social democracy as the best political system for the protection of all human rights, civil and political as well as economic.
On the positive side, she draws on substantial empirical work to show that globalization has significantly reduced world poverty levels, even while, on the negative side, it has exacerbated economic inequality across and within countries. Ultimately, she argues, social action and political decision making will determine whether the positive effects of globalization outweigh the negatives. And, in contrast to those who prefer either schemes for redistributing wealth on moral grounds or authoritarian socialist approaches, she makes the case for social democracy as the best political system for the protection of all human rights, civil and political as well as economic.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a book which, in the words of Paul Collier, can help 'citizens of the rich world . . . take responsibility for their own ignorance about trade policy' without capitulating to the simplicities of neoliberalism. It refuses to discuss human rights in an economic vacuum, but neither does it advocate forswearing them in the name of economic growth. Masterly in its use of evidence, careful and balanced in argument, this book is essential reading for anyone who is suspicious of the too-easy moral rectitude of some of globalization's 'radical' critics, but who still prioritizes human rights in all circumstances and wants the rest of the world to do so too."-Gavin Kitching, University of New South Wales
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
University Park
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
10 Charts
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-271-03691-5 (9780271036915)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann holds the Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights and is Professor in the Department of Global Studies and the Balsillie School of International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Author
Canada Research Chair in International Human RightsWilfrid Laurier University
Content
Contents
Acknowledgments
Acronyms
1. Human Rights and Globalization
2. Globalization, Poverty, and Inequality
3. Global Neoliberalism
4. A Positive Model
5. Negative Models
6. Global Human Rights Governance
7. Civil Society
8. The Politics of Resentment
9. The Primacy of Politics
References
Index
Acknowledgments
Acronyms
1. Human Rights and Globalization
2. Globalization, Poverty, and Inequality
3. Global Neoliberalism
4. A Positive Model
5. Negative Models
6. Global Human Rights Governance
7. Civil Society
8. The Politics of Resentment
9. The Primacy of Politics
References
Index