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A Political Theory of Rights

Attracta Ingram author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:17th Nov '94

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

A Political Theory of Rights cover

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