A Political Theory of Rights
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:17th Nov '94
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Rights are basic building blocks of the contemporary 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.
A tightly know critique of rights theory premised on self-ownership and negative rights. * Choice *
In her detailed analyses, Dr Ingram elucidates some important rights associated with liberal democracies ... a politics of autonomy is worth considering and Attracta Ingram's account should be widely read. Some philosophy should not be left to philosophers. * The Irish Times *
The book is persuasive in arguing that the autonomy thesis is true and that autonomy is the proper basis for rights ... This is a good book, with sophisticated discussions of a wide range of contemporary literature. * Ethics *
ISBN: 9780198279631
Dimensions: 217mm x 139mm x 14mm
Weight: 334g
244 pages