The Politics of Human Rights [Paperback]

This volume sets out to describe the political and philosophical underpinnings of the idea of human rights by bringing together a collection of original essays by a group of highly distinguished theorists. Recognizing that Western insistence on the universality of the concept of human rights can also function as a diplomatic cover for post-colonial interventions, it insists that the campaign for human rights must take into account the varied social and economic environments in different nation states that affect the ways such demands can be implemented. This campaign is most effective when demonstrating international solidarity with those whose basic rights are jeopardized or denied.“The Politics of Human Rightsmarks the landmark transition from moral principle to political reality by bringing together in one place an unrivaled selection of essays by leading Western thinkers ... It has the additional merit of being edited by a group of dissident intellectuals in the former Yugoslavia, for whom a repressive government and NATO’s intervention have made the politics of human rights of pressing importance. The result makes fascinating but dispiriting reading.”—Times Literary SupplementThe Belgrade Circle, a non-governmental organization, was founded in February 1992 by a group of independent and dissident intellectuals. It gained an international reputation through its courageous struggle against the nationalism, xenophobia and politics of war which spread dramatically through Serbian society during the collapse of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between 1992 and 1999. Among many other activities it has published more than forty books, including titles by Jacques Derrida, Jürgen Habermas and Charles Taylor. It also publishes regular editions of theBelgrade Circle Journal.

Obrad Savicteaches History of Social Sciences at the University of Belgrade. He is editor-in-chief of theBelgrade Circle Joul"