The Rights Revolution

The Rights Revolution

Written by: Ignatieff, Michael

With an updated preface by the author.

Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, rights have become the dominant language of the public good around the globe. Indeed, rights have become the trump card in every argument. Long-standing fights for aboriginal rights, the issue of preserving the linguistic heritage of minorities, and same-sex marriage have steered our society into a full-blown rights revolution. This revolution is not only deeply controversial in North America, but is being watched around the world. Are group rights jeopardizing individual rights? When everyone asserts their rights, what happens to responsibilities? Can families survive and prosper when each member has rights? Is rights language empowering individuals while weakening community?

Michael Ignatieff confronts these controversial questions head-on in The Rights Revolution, defending the supposed individualism of rights language against all comers. For Ignatieff, believing in rights means believing in politics, believing in deliberation rather than confrontation, compromise rather than violence.

With an updated preface by the author.

Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, rights have become the dominant language of the public good around the globe. Indeed, rights have become the trump card in every argument. Long-standing fights for aboriginal rights, the issue of preserving the linguistic heritage of minorities, and same-sex marriage have steered our society into a full-blown rights revolution. This revolution is not only deeply controversial in North America, but is being watched around the world. Are group rights jeopardizing individual rights? When everyone asserts their rights, what happens to responsibilities? Can families survive and prosper when each member has rights? Is rights language empowering individuals while weakening community?

Michael Ignatieff confronts these controversial questions head-on in The Rights Revolution, defending the supposed individualism of rights language against all comers. For Ignatieff, believing in rights means believing in politics, believing in deliberation rather than confrontation, compromise rather than violence.

Published By House of Anansi Press Inc — Feb 1, 2007
Specifications 184 pages | 5.01 in x 7.88 in
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Written By Michael Ignatieff is a writer and historian. He lives in Toronto, Canada, where he teaches at the University of Toronto. Follow Michael Ignatieff on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/m_ignatieff
Written By
Michael Ignatieff is a writer and historian. He lives in Toronto, Canada, where he teaches at the University of Toronto. Follow Michael Ignatieff on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/m_ignatieff