Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry
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Review
Michael Ignatieff is one of the few people who give political theory a good name. He writes about interesting things in an interesting way, without using jargon and without any attempt to engage in covert practical politics. His essays on human rights display all of these virtues . . . and should be read immediately by anyone who has more than a passing interest in the political landscape of the twenty-first century. -- Oliver Letwin, Times Literary Supplement
Bracing. . . . If anyone is superbly equipped to scrutinize the hybrid of theory and practical exigency at the heart of human-rights thinking, it's this unique, independent veteran of the world's war zones. . . . [This is] the shrewdest, subtlest, most realistic assessment of the logic of human rights in years. -- Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer
One of the most pleasing aspects of Michael Ignatieff's frequent contributions to the human rights debate is the clarity with which he writes about a subject beset as never before by uncertainty and disagreement. Not least of the achievements of Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry . . . is the simplicity and common sense Ignatieff introduces. And at a time when it has become fashionable to deride the gains made by the human rights movement over the years, his cautious optimism is refreshing. -- Caroline Moorehead, The Spectator
This book . . . confirms Michael Ignatieff's reputation as one of the most interesting commentators on human rights issues. . . . An excellent little book. It deserves to be widely read among all those interested in human rights issues. . . . One finds oneself eagerly anticipating Ignatieff's next contribution. -- David Petrasek, Ethics and International Affairs
This elegant book is a spirited attempt to put flesh on the bones of . . . politics and reunite theoretical questing with real-world situations. -- Alex Clark, The Sunday Times
[A] cogent analysis of the crusade for human rights. . . . The author gives a sympathetic analysis of its problems. . . . His views ring true, and he writes lucidly. -- "Kirkus Reviews
A philosophical liberal and a strong believer in the power of constitutions, Ignatieff boldly confronts difficult issues. . . . [He] illuminates complexities likely to make headlines as the call for intervention regarding worldwide human rights continues to grow. This book will undoubtedly provoke controversy within the human rights community. -- "Publishers Weekly
Carefully crafted, simple and direct prose working in the service of insightful analysis and passionate yet restrained advocacy . . . presented in a style that will both engage specialists and attract intelligent general readers--by a committed liberal humanist (and sympathetic critic) on the difficulties of the contemporary struggle for human rights. It is a 'must read' for anyone seriously interested in, or desiring a thoughtful general overview of, the struggle for universal human rights in contemporary international society. -- Jack Donnelly, International Affairs
Bracing. . . . If anyone is superbly equipped to scrutinize the hybrid of theory and practical exigency at the heart of human-rights thinking, it's this unique, independent veteran of the world's war zones. . . . [This is] the shrewdest, subtlest, most realistic assessment of the logic of human rights in years. -- Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer
One of the most pleasing aspects of Michael Ignatieff's frequent contributions to the human rights debate is the clarity with which he writes about a subject beset as never before by uncertainty and disagreement. Not least of the achievements of Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry . . . is the simplicity and common sense Ignatieff introduces. And at a time when it has become fashionable to deride the gains made by the human rights movement over the years, his cautious optimism is refreshing. -- Caroline Moorehead, The Spectator
This book . . . confirms Michael Ignatieff's reputation as one of the most interesting commentators on human rights issues. . . . An excellent little book. It deserves to be widely read among all those interested in human rights issues. . . . One finds oneself eagerly anticipating Ignatieff's next contribution. -- David Petrasek, Ethics and International Affairs
This elegant book is a spirited attempt to put flesh on the bones of . . . politics and reunite theoretical questing with real-world situations. -- Alex Clark, The Sunday Times
[A] cogent analysis of the crusade for human rights. . . . The author gives a sympathetic analysis of its problems. . . . His views ring true, and he writes lucidly. -- "Kirkus Reviews
A philosophical liberal and a strong believer in the power of constitutions, Ignatieff boldly confronts difficult issues. . . . [He] illuminates complexities likely to make headlines as the call for intervention regarding worldwide human rights continues to grow. This book will undoubtedly provoke controversy within the human rights community. -- "Publishers Weekly
Carefully crafted, simple and direct prose working in the service of insightful analysis and passionate yet restrained advocacy . . . presented in a style that will both engage specialists and attract intelligent general readers--by a committed liberal humanist (and sympathetic critic) on the difficulties of the contemporary struggle for human rights. It is a 'must read' for anyone seriously interested in, or desiring a thoughtful general overview of, the struggle for universal human rights in contemporary international society. -- Jack Donnelly, International Affairs
Alex Clark, The Sunday Times (London)
This elegant book is a spirited attempt to . . . reunite theoretical questing with real-world situations.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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In If This Is a Man, Primo Levi describes being interviewed by Dr. Pannwitz, chief of the chemical department at Auschwitz. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
In If This Is a Man, Primo Levi describes being interviewed by Dr. Pannwitz, chief of the chemical department at Auschwitz. Read the first page
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4 reviews
29 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Excellent, insightful
12 Dec 2001
Format:Hardcover
Ignatieff offers a measured, limited, and explicitly political, i.e., dialogic, nondogmatic, nonmetaphysical, pragmatic, approach to human rights advocacy and questions of international jurisdiction. Excellent, compelling, convincing. I can't say I'm entirely convinced, mind you. One surprise is that I found Appiah's essay--I am a great admirer of Appiah and, in my estimation, his reply to Taylor in _Multiculturalism: The Politics of Recognition_ is among the finest essays ever written--unconvincing, particularly with regards to the question of "rights and majorities." On this, see Jeremy Waldron's _Law and Disagreement_.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Not Much of Value
11 Nov 2005
Format:Paperback
'Human Rights' is a small book that discusses some current issues pertaining to human rights from an idealistic western foreign policy perspective. Ignatieff is a Canadian born foreign policy commentator who has spent the majority of his professional life in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ignatieff's two opening essays are followed by observations from other commentators; which in-turn are followed by closing remarks from the author. This type of discussion format is normally quite beneficial in helping readers to gain an appreciation of a given subject from a different perspectives. Unfortunately, in this work the additional commentators are to close to the author's ideological view to be of any real value. Dianne Orentlicher's observations were ok, however, the others were weak - characterized by too much flattery and self-aggrandizement.
The opening essays introduce a range of concerns within the contemporary human rights movement. Ignatieff identified relevant concerns such as; the tension between individual and collective rights, the view that the human rights movement is a type of Western imperialism, whether secular human rights is a form of cultural relativism as well as the need to balance rights and security/stability. I have heard the author speak on foreign policy issues and find him to be a generally capable foreign policy commentator.
Overall, there is not much of value in this book. If handled from a broader perspective these issues could be a worthwhile read. In its current form, however, I do not recommend it.
Ignatieff's two opening essays are followed by observations from other commentators; which in-turn are followed by closing remarks from the author. This type of discussion format is normally quite beneficial in helping readers to gain an appreciation of a given subject from a different perspectives. Unfortunately, in this work the additional commentators are to close to the author's ideological view to be of any real value. Dianne Orentlicher's observations were ok, however, the others were weak - characterized by too much flattery and self-aggrandizement.
The opening essays introduce a range of concerns within the contemporary human rights movement. Ignatieff identified relevant concerns such as; the tension between individual and collective rights, the view that the human rights movement is a type of Western imperialism, whether secular human rights is a form of cultural relativism as well as the need to balance rights and security/stability. I have heard the author speak on foreign policy issues and find him to be a generally capable foreign policy commentator.
Overall, there is not much of value in this book. If handled from a broader perspective these issues could be a worthwhile read. In its current form, however, I do not recommend it.
Cogent and accessible overview of contemporary human rights issues, with some interesting arguments
24 Feb 2012
Format:Paperback
Ignatieff presents a broad analysis of human rights, and human rights theory. His first of two essays focuses primarily on the politics and application of human rights, while his second essay engages more deeply into human rights theory. His arguments are generally logical and well thought (I have yet to find a writer whose ideas I agreed with in their entirety). He is a good writer in that he presents his arguments in a manner that is clear, intelligent, and followable. This book seems capable both as serving as an introduction to human rights theory, and as an important next read for the human rights researcher/activist.
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