Human Rights at Risk: Global Governance, American Power, and the Future of Dignity

Human Rights at Risk is a multidisciplinary volume that examines the policy challenges of human rights protection in the twenty-first century, organized based on three overarching themes: international institutions and global governance of human rights, thematic blind spots in human rights protection, and the human rights challenges of the United States as a global and domestic actor amidst the contemporary global shifts to authoritarianism and illiberal populism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Human Rights at Risk is a groundbreaking collection of essays that brings together social scientists, legal scholars, and humanities scholars to explore the complex policy challenges of protecting human rights in the twenty-first century. The volume is organized into three overarching themes that highlight the challenges and risks associated with international human rights: international institutions and global governance of human rights, thematic blind spots in human rights protection, and the human rights challenges of the United States as a global and domestic actor amidst the contemporary global shifts to authoritarianism and illiberal populism.

One of the key strengths of this book is its multidisciplinary approach, which allows for a comprehensive examination of the causes and consequences of the challenges faced by international human rights. The authors draw on a wide range of academic disciplines, including political science, international law, sociology, and history, to provide fresh perspectives and insights into the complex dynamics of global politics.

The first theme, international institutions and global governance of human rights, explores the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and regional human rights bodies in promoting and protecting human rights. The authors argue that these institutions face a number of challenges, including the need for greater coherence and coordination, the influence of powerful states, and the resistance of authoritarian regimes to human rights norms. The chapter also examines the potential for new forms of global governance, such as the emergence of regional human rights courts, to address these challenges.

The second theme, thematic blind spots in human rights protection, examines the ways in which certain groups of people are marginalized and excluded from the benefits of human rights protections. The authors highlight the plight of women, children, minorities, and persons with disabilities, who face systemic discrimination and violence in many parts of the world. The chapter also explores the role of cultural norms and stereotypes in perpetuating these inequalities and the challenges of challenging these norms.

The third theme, the human rights challenges of the United States as a global and domestic actor, examines the ways in which the United States has contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the challenges it faces in doing so. The authors argue that the United States has played a critical role in shaping the international human rights regime, but that it also faces a number of challenges, including its military interventions, its treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers, and its support for authoritarian regimes. The chapter also explores the potential for the United States to play a more constructive role in promoting human rights in the twenty-first century.

Overall, Human Rights at Risk is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and policy practitioners interested in the challenges and reform prospects of the international human rights regime, United States foreign policy, and international institutions. The book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the state of global politics in the twenty-first century, and its insights will be of great use to those seeking to understand the complex dynamics of human rights protection and promote positive change in the world.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978828421