Critical theory and human rights
from compassion to coercion
- ISBN: 9781526174642
- Editorial: Manchester University Press
- Fecha de la edición: 2024
- Lugar de la edición: Manchester. Reino Unido
- Colección: Critical Theory and Contemporary Society
- Encuadernación: Rústica
- Medidas: 24 cm
- Nº Pág.: 280
- Idiomas: Inglés
This book describes how human rights have given rise to a vision of benevolent governance that, if fully realised, would be antithetical to individual freedom. It describes human rights' evolution into a grand but nebulous project, rooted in compassion, with the overarching aim of improving universal welfare by defining the conditions of human well-being and imposing obligations on the state and other actors to realise them. This gives rise to a form of managerialism, preoccupied with measuring and improving the 'human rights performance' of the state, businesses and so on. The ultimate result is the 'governmentalisation' of a pastoral form of global human rights governance, in which power is exercised for the general good, moulded by a complex regulatory sphere which shapes the field of action for the individual at every turn. This, unsurprisingly, does not appeal to rights-holders themselves.
Solipsism and imperialism
Between Nomos and Telos
Human rights' directing idea
The governmentalisation of global human rights governance
Tactics rather than laws
Nothing but rejoicing
