The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions Are Changing World Politics (The Norton Series in World Politics) [Hardcover]

Kathryn Sikkink (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2011 | Series: The Norton Series in World Politics

Acclaimed scholar Kathryn Sikkink examines the important and controversial new trend of holding political leaders criminally accountable for human rights violations.

Grawemeyer Award winner Kathryn Sikkink offers a landmark argument for human rights prosecutions as a powerful political tool. She shows how, in just three decades, state leaders in Latin America, Europe, and Africa have lost their immunity from any accountability for their human rights violations, becoming the subjects of highly publicized trials resulting in severe consequences. This shift is affecting the behavior of political leaders worldwide and may change the face of global politics as we know it.

Drawing on extensive research and illuminating personal experience, Sikkink reveals how the stunning emergence of human rights prosecutions has come about; what effect it has had on democracy, conflict, and repression; and what it means for leaders and citizens everywhere, from Uruguay to the United States. The Justice Cascade is a vital read for anyone interested in the future of world politics and human rights. 14 black-and-white illustrations

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kathryn Sikkink is a Regents Professor and the McKnight Presidential Chair of Political Science at the University of Minnesota. She is the cowinner of the 2000 Grawemeyer Award for "Ideas Improving World Order" and lives in Minneapolis.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (September 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393079937
• ISBN-13: 978-0393079937
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book. November 21, 2011

By James T. Ranney

Format:Hardcover

This is a great book, consisting primarily of 1) a terrific history of the growth of prosecutions for violations of human rights (at all levels, national, foreign, and international) and 2) incredible statistical analyses of same, drawing certain conclusions as to their efficacy.
What I liked best was 1) her ability to bring greater clarity to the whole area, and 2) her ability to trace out what I would call "causality" issues (what accounts for the growth of these institutions, etc.).
A GREAT book, vastly informed by the author's personal experiences (especially her years in Argentina) and her personal contacts with many of the key players in this field.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great look at human rights prosecutions February 9, 2012

By Scott

Format:Hardcover

Sikkink's look at human rights prosecutions (domestic, foreign, and international) is a great way to learn about the effects of such prosecutions. She begins with a historical account of trials that few ever talk about - Greece and Portugal. From there they explains the statistical findings of just how effective human rights trials are and how the idea of prosecutions has spread. She also uses these findings to look closely at how this all effects the United States, which is an important part of the book. All in all a great introduction to human rights prosecutions.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth your time June 9, 2013

By Anonymous

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read this book for a human rights law class offered through my university. This book is very poorly written. The author over uses personal anecdotes and writes in such a casual tone that the book reads like blog instead of academic literature. Content wise, while the author makes some interesting points, she fails to draw any kind of conclusion, rambles from chapter to chapter on the same few principles, and leaves the reader wondering how this is a final draft. Justice Cascade? More like a Justice Trickle. Skip it, this book isn't worth your time.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book February 1, 2013

By D. M. Ritchie

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the only book that covers the modern era in human rights litigation on a global basis and does it with clarity and perspective. Just what I was looking for.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! December 27, 2012

By Rosie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sikkink gives so much to think about as far as Bush and what will be of him and his decisions at Guantanamo Bay. The book overall is very interesting and she actually makes all the information she provides enjoyable. If you want to know anything and everything about how Human Rights began as a movement against individuals and states, this is it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars enlightening May 26, 2012

By Vainer Violeta

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

this is an indepethd overview of an esncial issue in the way people who are in power excesric it, showing the pahe justtice for human rights evolved around the world
for ands against arguments are exposed, and the author explains how her conlusion about how trials and truth comissions help the deterrance of human rights violations around the world, and the role they play in contemporary democracies
thank you katryne,
form argentina