Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice [Paperback]

Jack Donnelly (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0801487765 | ISBN-13: 978-0801487767 | Publication Date: November 2002 | Edition: 2

In this revised and updated edition, Donnelly directly engages matters of immediate political significance. He addresses recent international events and considers the theoretical issues and practical dilemmas involved in protecting human rights internationally. In a thoroughly revised edition of "Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice" (more than half of the material is new), Jack Donnelly elaborates a theory of human rights, addresses arguments of cultural relativism and explores the efficacy of bilateral and multilateral international action.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Cornell Univ Pr; 2 edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801487765
• ISBN-13: 978-0801487767
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Law > International Law
  • #45 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Current Events > Civil Rights & Liberties

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Starter and a Reference, January 10, 2007

By 

T. R. OConnor "professor" (Clarksville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

In a sense, this book is so good it doesn't need a review. Almost everyone knows that the Donnelly book is the standard and most readable text on human rights theory. It is a good starter book for the beginner. You'll learn something new on every page. My copy is full of irresistable, self-made underlines, markings, and comments in the margins. It's also a good reference book, one that you'll return to time and time again. Donnelly's method of abbreviation, for example, is standard for the main UN proclamation and two binding covenants (treaties): (U for UDHR; E for CESCR; and C for CCPR). The book differentiates between regimes that exist for declaratory or promotional purposes and those which are involved in implementation of policy or monitoring and enforcement, and Donnelly pulls no punches when pointing out that some state reports in response to Protocol complaints are nothing more than farces. It is found, for example, that there is little reason why the Arab League and various Third Way movements should even be considered human rights organizations. Here are some of the international human rights discussed in this book: Nondiscrimination, Life, Liberty, security of person, Protection against slavery,Protection against torture, Legal personality, Equal protection of the law, Legal remedy, Protection against arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile, Access to independent and impartial tribunal, Presumption of innocence, Protection against ex post facto law, Privacy, Freedom of Movement, Nationality, Marry and found a family, Protection and assistance of families, Marriage only with free consent, Equal rights in marriage, Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, Freedom of opinion and expression, Freedom of assembly, Freedom of association, Participation in government, Social security, Work, Just and favorable conditions of work, Trade unions, Rest and leisure, Adequate standard of living, Education, Participation in cultural life, Self-determination, Protection of and assistance to children, Freedom from hunger, Health, Asylum, Property, Compulsory primary education, Humane treatment when deprived of liberty, Protection against imprisonment for debt, Expulsion of aliens only by law, Prohibition of war propaganda, Minority culture.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview for anyone interested in Human Rights, August 22, 2008

By 

M. C. Reiner (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

I had to read this book for a graduate class and I found it very helpful and informative as a human rights "beginner." It is not so dense that it is difficult to read but it's also not a watered-down text.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, but..., February 27, 2011

By 

former bucknellian (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (Paperback)

I'll split the difference, and say that while this is probably the gold standard for undergraduate texts on human rights, it does suffer from the serious flaws that Zach H notes. It has a decided bias in favor of the individualist perspective, to the point where his discussions of relativism come off as straw man arguments. He doesn't give them their due. Furthermore his utilitarian justification that rights are universal rests almost entirely on the nearly unanimous initial vote in the General Assembly for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This isn't terribly compelling, considering the number of abstentions and the changes in the international system brought about by decolonization. Ironically, Donnelly's recent revisions of his more basic textbook, International Human Rights, seem to respond to these shortcomings. Having used both in undergraduate courses, UHRTP is a more substantial undertaking, with a great deal more theoretical breadth and depth.