How does globalisation affect the ability of human rights to constrain power? This is the central question of this volume that tackles the issue from a variety of perspectives. It covers such branches of international law and human rights as diplomatic protection, powers of the UN Security Council, responsibility of international organisations, accountability of multinational corporations, third-generation rights, law of armed conflict, and state sovereignty. The contributions problematize the role of human rights and call for rethinking of the structure and functioning of human rights. The contributions adopt a variety of disciplinary perspectives that all elucidate difficulties human rights face in a globalised world and suggest ways forward.

This book examines dominant discourses in human rights education globally. Using diverse paradigms, ranging from critical theory to discourse analysis, the book examines major human rights education reforms and policy issues in a global culture, with a focus on the ambivalent and problematic relationship between human rights education discourses, ideology and the state. The book discusses democracy, ideology and human rights, which are among the most critical and significant factors defining and contextualising the processes surrounding human rights education globally. The book critiques current human rights education practices and policy reforms, illustrating the shifts in the relationship between the state, ideology, and human rights education policy. Written by authors from diverse backgrounds and regions, the book examines current developments in research concerning human rights education. The book enables readers to gain a more holistic understanding of the nexus between human rights education, and dominant ideologies, both locally and globally. It also provides an easily accessible, practical yet scholarly insights into international concerns in the field of human rights education in the context of global culture.

The main topic of this book is the tendency among young people in East Africa to turn from the traditional Church towards new charismatic movements such as the Balokole, which emphasise material over spiritual wealth. The book will examine the reasons for this and its possible effects; it will consider the implications for the Church and possible action to take. The book is divided into 9 chapters. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the history of the Christian Church, especially in the context of its commitment or otherwise to fighting poverty, and other problems which have contributed to the rise of the Balokole. Ideas on unity, catholicity and holiness are discussed in relation to the Church’s duties, especially the Apostolic tradition of carrying on Christ’s mission. Chapter 2 turns to young people’s views of the Church and its role. It argues that love, the basis of the Christian message, must imply a practical duty of care; and considers whether the Church’s failure to offer real help is connected with young people’s growing preference for non-traditional religion. It also looks at other problems such as family breakdown and unemployment, which are facing young people. Chapter 3 explores the Balokole movement and its links (or, mainly, absence of links) to established Churches. Its similarity to American movements such as Word of Faith is considered, and its message of ‘prosperity teaching’ is examined. As well as criticising Balokole distortion of Biblical messages about wealth and other matters, the chapter praises the way it incorporates traditional African elements, such as dance and music, into its worship. Should the traditional Church consider doing the same? In Chapter 4, contextual theology is discussed, particularly liberation theology. This Latin American development is considered in the context of contemporary African problems including recent ethnic conflict, widespread corruption and injustice. It is argued that liberation theology – a practical commitment to fighting poverty and injustice – is both a Christian duty and the best way to prevent the further spread of movements like the Bakolole. Chapter 5 returns to the American origins of the Bakolole movement, and gives an overview of various scholars who have attacked the ‘Word of Faith’ movement. It uses this criticism of the often corrupt, exploitative leaders of such movements as an opportunity to urge all leaders – including Church leaders – to reflect on and improve their own practice. Chapter 6 looks at the plight of young people in East Africa. It acknowledges the fact that the Bakolole have often given these people hope and a voice where all other institutions have failed them. As neither their families nor their governments are able to help, it is argued that the Church must fulfil its mission to serve as both family and community network, even if this means abandoning its long-standing habit of not getting involved in politics. Chapter 7 identifies the root cause of many of the problems discussed in the previous chapter: corruption. It explores the way bribery; nepotism and tribalism have poisoned East African political life, undermined the rule of law and led to grave injustices such as the treatment of the Buganda people. If this culture is to end, the Church must take the lead, and also root out corruption in its own ranks. In Chapter 8, practical ways of applying liberation theology are discussed. The chapter mentions worldwide organisations committed to fighting poverty, with which the Church could work, and looks at examples from recent history such as the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. It considers the various criticisms of liberation theology which have been made by conservative elements, and refutes these, looking at the Christian and Biblical roots of modern anti-poverty movements. The Church’s role as the conscience of society is emphasised. Chapter 9 considers what the Church will need to do in order to eradicate poverty and create a more just society. It argues for careful selection of leaders in both religious and political organisations; and for regular scrutiny of their actions. It reiterates the author’s belief in the Church as the centre of the community, with a responsibility in all areas of social and economic as well as spiritual life. The book ends with a plea for the Church to take action to improve the lives of its members and prevent them from being exploited by unscrupulous forces.

There is a stark contradiction between the theory of universal human rights and the everyday practice of human wrongs. This timely volume investigates whether human rights abuses are a result of the failure of governments to live up to a universal human rights standard, or whether the search for moral universals is a fundamentally flawed enterprise which distracts us from the task of developing rights in the context of particular ethical communities. In the first part of the book chapters by Ken Booth, Jack Donnelly, Chris Brown, Bhikhu Parekh and Mary Midgley explore the philosophical basis of claims to universal human rights. In the second part, Richard Falk, Mary Kaldor, Martin Shaw, Gil Loescher, Georgina Ashworth and Andrew Hurrell reflect on the role of the media, global civil society, states, migration, non-governmental organisations, capitalism, and schools and universities in developing a global human rights culture.

Fully revised and updated, the second edition of Introduction to Global Politics places an increased emphasis on the themes of continuity and change. It continues to explain global politics using an historical approach, firmly linking history with the events of today. By integrating theory and political practice at individual, state, and global levels, students are introduced to key developments in global politics, helping them make sense of major trends that are shaping our world. This is a highly illustrated textbook with informative and interactive boxed material throughout. Chapter opening timelines contextualise the material that follows, and definitions of key terms are provided in a glossary at the end of the book. Every chapter ends with student activities, cultural materials, and annotated suggestions for further reading that now include websites. Key updates for this edition: New chapter on 'The causes of war and the changing nature of violence in global politics' New chapter on 'Technology and global politics' Enhanced coverage of theory including post-positivist theories Uses ‘levels of analysis’ framework throughout the text New material on the financial crisis, BRIC and Iran Introduction to Global Politics continues to be essential reading for students of political science, global politics and international relations.

Both human rights and globalization are powerful ideas and processes, capable of transforming the world in profound ways. Notwithstanding their universal claims, however, the processes are constructed, and they draw their power from the specific cultural and political contexts in which they are constructed. Far from bringing about a harmonious cosmopolitan order, they have stimulated conflict and opposition. In the context of globalization, as the idea of human rights has become universal, its meaning has become one more terrain of struggle among groups with their own interests and goals. Part I of this volume looks at political and cultural struggles to control the human rights regime -- that is, the power to construct the universal claims that will prevail in a territory -- with respect to property, the state, the environment, and women. Part II examines the dynamics and counterdynamics of transnational networks in their interactions with local actors in Iran, China, and Hong Kong. Part III looks at the prospects for fruitful human rights dialogiue between competing universalisms that by definition are intolerant of conradiction and averse to compromise.

Economic globalisation is one of the guiding paradigms of the twenty-first century. The challenge it implies for human rights is fundamental, and key questions have up to now received no satisfying answers. How can human rights protect human dignity when economic globalisation has an adverse impact on local living conditions? How should human rights evolve in response to a global economy in which non-statal actors are decisive forces? Economic Globalisation and Human Rights was originally published in 2007, and sets out to assess these and other questions to ensure that, as economic globalisation intensifies, human rights take up the central and crucial position that they deserve. Using a multidisciplinary methodology, leading scholars reflect on issues such as the need for global ethics, the localisation of human rights, the role of human rights in WTO law, and efforts to make international economic organisations more accountable and multinational corporations more socially responsible.

This book, the seventeenth instalment in the 24-volume series Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research, explores the interrelationship between ideology, the state and human rights education reforms, setting it in a global context. The book examines major human rights education reforms and policy issues in a global culture. It focuses on the ambivalent and problematic relationship between the state, globalisation and human rights education discourses. Using a number of diverse paradigms, ranging from critical theory to historical-comparative research, the authors examine the reasons for, and the outcomes of human rights education reforms and policy. The authors discuss discourses surrounding the major dimensions affecting the human rights education, namely national identity, democracy, and ideology. These dimensions are among the most critical and significant dimensions defining and contextualising the processes surrounding the nation-building, identity politics and human rights education globally. With this as its focus, the chapters represent hand-picked scholarly research on major discourses in the field of human rights education reforms. The book draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equality, and the role of the state in human rights education reforms. Furthermore, the perception of globalisation as dynamic and multi-faceted processes clearly necessitates a multiple-perspective approach in the study of human rights education. This book provides that perspective commendably. It also critiques current human rights education practices and policy reforms. It illustrates the way shifts in the relationship between the state and human rights education policy. In the book, the authors, who come from diverse backgrounds and regions, attempt insightfully to provide a worldview of current developments in research concerning human rights education, and citizenship education globally. The book contributes, in a very scholarly way, to a more holistic understanding of the nexus between nation-state, human rights education both locally and globally.

This volume seeks to propose a reinvention of freedom under contemporary conditions of globalization, cross-border mobility, and neo-liberal dominance. There are currently two predominant myths circulating about freedom. The first is that in a global age growing numbers of citizens are less concerned with freedom than they are with security. Secondly, there is the presumption that freedom only refers to market freedom and consumerism, implying that the ideas of choice and consumption are interchangeable with ideas of freedom. Stevenson argues that while these arguments are significant, they are deeply misleading. More ‘authentic’ ideas of freedom such as self-realisation, participating in politics and seeking a meaningful life of self-reflection have not been entirely displaced but have instead become reinvented in our global times. The cries of freedom can still be heard in a multitude of places from the Arab Spring to the Occupy Movement and from the protests against European austerity to the current popularity of human rights. Stevenson also argues that the idea of freedom has become increasingly mobile in our interconnected and transnational society. The spaces and places of civil society are more complex in this global age, pushing ideas of freedom far beyond the usual arena of national politics. This volume brings together a diverse range of cultural interpretations in respect of freedom related to the idea of the commons, cosmopolitanism, contemporary documentary cinema and the history of jazz music. Exploring the ways in which notions of freedom are being re-made within the context of the present, and looking more precisely at the current threats to freedom, it will be of interest to students and scholars of globalization, human rights and cultural sociology.