Critical Issues in Human Rights and Development

Employing a human rights perspective, this week's review analyzes "social, economic, and political structures and practices" that shape our lives.

Posted on July 18, 2022 in Reviews of the Month

Critical Issues in Human Rights and Development

ed by Stephen Marks and Balakrishnan Rajagopal E. Elgar, 2021
456p bibl index, 9781781005965 $175.00, 9781781005972

Critical Issues in Human Rights and Development book cover. Blue background with orange, yellow, and blue circles on the lower half of the cover.

In this work, Marks (Harvard Univ.) and Rajagopal (MIT) compile a superb collection of papers focused on interconnections between human rights and human development. Contributed papers identify multiple aspects and components of those interconnections, including issues of gender, climate change, access to meaningful education, technology and information, health and nutrition, sanitation, adequate housing, and others. With broad emphasis on rights understood as not merely protections against the aggression of others but also as genuine provisions and opportunities to live fulfilled lives, the various papers analyze and critique social, economic, and political structures and practices that shape and impact people individually and collectively, often in the name of promoting and protecting human rights. A primary emphasis of many contributing authors is to identify such issues and concerns and then propose ways of effectively realizing human rights, including addressing such challenges as racial injustice, economic disparity, governmental and nongovernmental authoritarianism, and international inequalities related to the development of persons. Collectively, the papers integrate both theory and practice with regard to human rights and human development and demonstrate ways to frame actions and solutions.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.
Reviewer: D. B. Boersema, emeritus, Pacific University
Interdisciplinary Subjects: Environmental Studies
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Psychology
Choice Issue: Sep 2022

Enjoy this week’s review? Check out more reviews of related titles:

Related Posts