International Dialogue
Abstract
Emilie Hafner-Burton’s Making Human Rights a Reality offers an accessible and informed analysis of the significant gap between the normative universalism of international human rights law and its limited effects in practice. The book’s primary purpose is to offer a pragmatic, strategic alternative to global legalism for promoting the progressive realization of fundamental human rights. In Hafner-Burton’s view, the cause of human rights promotion would be better-served by relying on states with strong human rights records (both in terms of respecting rights at home and commitment to promoting them abroad) to use foreign policy as a tool for changing the incentive structures in other countries in ways that enhance human rights protection in these countries. Her goal is to change the “calculus of abuse” (4) in contexts where real and meaningful change is possible.
Recommended Citation
DeLaet, Debra L.
(2015)
"Making Human Rights a Reality,"
International Dialogue: Vol. 5, Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32873/uno.dc.ID.5.1.1104
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/id-journal/vol5/iss1/15
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