A political theory of rights
By: Attracta Ingram.
Publisher: Clarendon Press; Oxford University Press
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Oxford [England]; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 232
Subjects: Human rights.; Autonomy.
Description: Rights are basic building blocks of the contemporary liberal state, and yet their rigorous justification is notoriously difficult. This book provides a thorough analysis of this central topic in modern political discourse. The book challenges the orthodox view that rights are a type of property claim in one's body.

Drawing on the tradition of the social contract as well as the wealth of recent work in political theory the book argues for a different conception of rights. Rights are conceived as a certain type of political claim, justified by a Kantian ideal of autonomy. Moreover, that justification provides a moral basis for rights that, while independent of law and custom, is also tied to an image of citizenship particularly suited to the pluralistic nature of contemporary liberal society.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [221]-228) and index.