Human rights in thick and thin societies : universality without uniformity /
Kaplan, Seth D.,1966-author.
"Socio-centric societies have vibrant-albeit different-concepts of human flourishing than is typical in the individualistic West. These concepts influence the promotion of human rights, both in domestic contexts with religious minorities and in international contexts where Western ideals may clash with local norms. Human Rights in Thick and Thin Societies uncovers the original intentions of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, finds inspiration from early leaders in the field like Eleanor Roosevelt, and examines the implications of recent advances in cultural psychology for understanding difference. The case studies included illustrate the need to vary the application of human rights in differing cultural environments, and the book suggests a new framework: a flexible universalism that returns to basics-focusing on the great evils of the human condition. This approach will help the human rights movement succeed in a multipolar era"--
"Human rights are by definition universal; they are the rights of all human beings. But the list of human rights is disputed across humanity, and so is the relative importance of the different rights. These disputes derive from the simple fact that there are many ways to live a human life. Human beings have created very different cultures and religions that shape the lives of their adherents and give them meaning. Universal claims appeal to what is, no doubt, their common humanity--but, at the same time, they engender cultural resistance. Seth Kaplan's book is at once a guide to this resistance, an analysis of cultural diversity, and a program for dealing with disagreement and protecting those rights most critical to human flourishing"--
Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-234) and index.
"Socio-centric societies have vibrant-albeit different-concepts of human flourishing than is typical in the individualistic West. These concepts influence the promotion of human rights, both in domestic contexts with religious minorities and in international contexts where Western ideals may clash with local norms. Human Rights in Thick and Thin Societies uncovers the original intentions of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, finds inspiration from early leaders in the field like Eleanor Roosevelt, and examines the implications of recent advances in cultural psychology for understanding difference. The case studies included illustrate the need to vary the application of human rights in differing cultural environments, and the book suggests a new framework: a flexible universalism that returns to basics-focusing on the great evils of the human condition. This approach will help the human rights movement succeed in a multipolar era"--
"Human rights are by definition universal; they are the rights of all human beings. But the list of human rights is disputed across humanity, and so is the relative importance of the different rights. These disputes derive from the simple fact that there are many ways to live a human life. Human beings have created very different cultures and religions that shape the lives of their adherents and give them meaning. Universal claims appeal to what is, no doubt, their common humanity--but, at the same time, they engender cultural resistance. Seth Kaplan's book is at once a guide to this resistance, an analysis of cultural diversity, and a program for dealing with disagreement and protecting those rights most critical to human flourishing"--
1. Introduction -- 2. The UDHR: flexible universalism -- 3. Cultural psychology's contribution -- 4. Thick versus thin societies -- 5. The limits of Western human rights discourse -- 6. Case study: male circumcision in Europe -- 7. Case study: Rwanda's Gacaca Courts -- 8. Conclusion: a return to basics.
Human rights.
Civil rights.
Civil rights.
Human rights.