International Human Rights in Context

Steiner and Alston's widely acclaimed interdisciplinary coursebook presents a diverse range of carefully edited primary and secondary materials alongside extensive text, editorial commentary, and study questions. Within its conceptual framework, the book covers the major topics of international human rights: the basic characteristics of international law; evolution of the human rights movement; civil, political, economic, and social rights; the humanitarian laws of war; globalization; self-determination; women's rights; universalism and cultural relativism; intergovernmental and nongovernmental institutions; implementation and enforcement; internal application of human rights norms; and the spread of constitutionalism. Its scope, challenging inquiries, and clarity make it the ideal companion for human rights students, scholars, advocates, and practitioners alike. This new edition takes into account the recent significant developments in the field and expands coverage in several directions. Its text and readings provoke discussion of the ongoing and emerging debates of the human rights movement.
Themes such as the changing question of sovereignty, the waning significance of the public-private divide, and the alternative approaches of human rights and duties run through the book.