Peter Johansson

In this lecture, we introduce human rights as a field of study encompassing this course and the whole programme from an interdisciplinary point of view. Three complimentary perspectives of law, ethics and politics are discussed.

In addition to this model, the lecture also discuss three central debates within the field, namely, universalism vs. relativism; civil and political rights vs. economic, social and cultural rights; and individual vs. collective rights.

Power Point: MR2105 - Lecture 1 - HR as an interdisciplinary field (2022-08-30).pptx

Readings

Freeman's book is to be read in parallel with the articles during the first block of the course. It is highly recommended to read at least two articles of your choice before each lecture, but of course the more the better. It is also highly recommended to read the abstracts of each of the articles to be able to navigate the topics and focus on each of the articles that you choose to read.

Books

Freeman, M. (2022). Human Rights (4th edition). Cambridge: Polity Press. (ISBN: 9781509546046) or

Freeman, M. (2017). Human Rights (3rd edition). Cambridge: Polity Press. (ISBN: 9781509510283)

Articles

Universalism vs. Relativism

Donnelly, J. (2007). The Relative Universality of Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 29(2), pp. 281-306.

Goodhart, M. (2008). Neither Relative nor Universal: A Response to Donnelly. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30(1), pp. 183-193.

Donnelly, J. (2008). Human Rights: Both Universal and Relative (A Reply to Michael Goodhart). Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30(1), pp. 194-204.

Addo, M. K. (2010). Practice of United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies in the Reconciliation of Cultural Diversity with Universal Respect for Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 32(3), pp. 601-664.

Xanthaki, A. (2010). Multiculturalism and International Law: Discussing Universal Standards. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 32(1), pp. 21-48.

Johansson Dahre, U. (2017). Searching for a middle ground: anthropologists and the debate on the universalism and the cultural relativism of human rights. The International Journal of Human Rights, vol 21(5), pp. 611-628.

Johansson Dahre, U. (2010). There are no such things as universal human rights – on the predicament of indigenous peoples, for example. The International Journal of Human Rights, vol. 14(5), pp. 641-657.

Rana, R. (2007). Symphony of Decolonisation: Third World and Human Rights Discourse. The International Journal of Human Rights. vol. 11(4), pp. 367-379.

Zhao, J. (2015). China and the Uneasy Case for Universal Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 37(1), pp. 29-52.

Civil and political rights vs. Economic, social and cultural rights

Whelan, D. J. & Donnelly, J. (2007). The West, Economic and Social Rights, and the Global Human Rights Regime: Setting the Record Straight. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 29(4), pp 908-949.

Kirkup, A. & Evans, T. (2009). The Myth of Western Opposition to Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights?: A Reply to Whelan and Donnelly. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 31(1), pp. 221-237.

Whelan, D. J. & Donnelly, J. (2009a). Yes, a Myth: A Reply to Kirkup and Evans. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 31(1), pp. 239-255.

Kang, S. L. (2009). The Unsettled Relationship of Economic and Social Rights and the West: A Response to Whelan and Donnelly. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 31(4), pp. 1006-1029.

Whelan, D. J. & Donnelly, J. (2009b). The Reality of Western Support for Economic and Social Rights: A Reply to Susan L. Kang. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 31(4), pp. 1030-1054.

Way, S-A. (2014). The “Myth” and Mystery of US History on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights: The 1947 “United States Suggestions for Articles to be Incorporated in an International Bill of Rights”. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 36(4), pp. 869-897.

Individual vs. Collective Rights

Johansson Dahre, U. (2008). The Politics of Human Rights: Indigenous Peoples and the Conflict on Collective Human Rights. The International Journal of Human Rights, vol. 12(1), pp. 41-52.

Reidel, L. (2010). What are Cultural Rights? Protecting Groups With Individual Rights. Journal of Human Rights, vol. 9(1), pp. 65-80.

Indivisibility of human rights

Nickel, J.W. (2008). Rethinking Indivisibility: Towards A Theory of Supporting Relations between Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30(4), pp. 984-1001.

Gilabert, P. (2010). The Importance of Linkage Arguments for the Theory and Practice of Human Rights: A Response to James Nickel. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 32(2), pp. 425-438.

Nickel, J. W. (2010). Indivisibility and Linkage Arguments: A Reply to Gilabert. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 32(2), pp. 439-446.

Minkler, L & Sweeney, S. (2011). On the Indivisibility and Interdependence of Basic Rights in Developing Countries. Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 33(2), pp. 351-396.