Micheline Ishay recounts the dramatic struggle for human rights across the ages in a book that brilliantly synthesizes historical & intellectual developments from the Mesopotamian Codes of Hammurabi to today's era of globalization As she chronicles the clash of social movements ideas & armies that have played a part in this struggle Ishay illustrates how the history of human rights has evolved from one era to the next through texts cultural traditions & creative expression Writing with verve & extraordinary range she develops a framework for understanding contemporary issues from the debate over globalization to the intervention in Kosovo to the climate for human rights after September 11 2001 The only comprehensive history of human rights available this book will be essential reading for anyone concerned with humankind's quest for justice & dignity Ishay structures her chapters around six core questions that have shaped human rights debate & scholarship What are the origins of human rights? Why did the European vision of human rights triumph over those of other civilizations? Has socialism made a lasting contribution to the legacy of human rights? Are human rights universal or culturally bound? Must human rights be sacrificed to the demands of national security? & is globalization eroding or advancing human rights? As she explores these questions Ishay also incorporates notable documents
- writings speeches & political statements
- from activists writers & thinkers throughout history