Title: Human rights, or citizenship? /
Authors: Tambakaki, Paulina.
Publisher: Birkbeck Law Press,
Year: 2010
Subjects: Human rights.; Citizenship; Political ethics.; Social ethics.
Abstract: "While human rights have been enjoying unprecedented salience, the concept of the citizen has been significantly challenged. Rising ethical concerns, the calling into question of state sovereignty and the consolidation of the human rights regime have all contributed to a shift in focus: from an exclusionary, problematic citizenship to human rights. Human Rights, or Citizenship? examines this shift and explores its implications for democracy." "In an accessible way, the book explores the arguments within contemporary democratic theory that privilege law and legally codified human rights over citizenship, questioning whether legalism alone could lead us to a better, more equitable politics. Does the prioritization of law and legally codified human rights lead to depoliticization? And do human rights always contest relations of power and subordination? Addressing these questions, Human Rights, or Citizenship? opens a debate about the role of citizenship and human rights in democracy. It will be invaluable reading for anyone interested in democratic politics today."--Jacket.
Contents: Citizenship and human rights in tension : changes, issues and approaches -- Privileging human rights -- The illusive promise of human rights -- Politics and legalism -- Back to citizenship, an agonistic conception.