This book introduces the nature and scope of human rights discourse. The section alerts students to the vast array of issues that fall within the purview of ‘human rights’, and explores the historical and theoretical underpinnings of rights discourse in general and economic and social rights in particular. ‘International Instruments and Their Implementation’, takes students through an array of international and regional human rights treaties that address economic, social and cultural rights. In addition to excerpts of relevant treaties, each chapter also provides examples of how the implementing bodies associated with those treaties do their work. ‘Power, Politics, and Poverty: Structural Obstacles to the Realization of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights’ addresses major controversies in, and barriers to, the realisation of socio-economic and cultural rights. Also included is the relationship of human rights and development to the globalisation of trade, as well as to migration and trafficking of human beings. ‘Comparative Approaches’ is valuable for international human rights, comparative law, and comparative constitutional law courses. The section provides students with an introduction to the rapidly developing jurisprudence on economic, social, and cultural rights in India, South Africa, Europe, and the United States and, by doing so, contradicts the notion that economic, social, and cultural rights are not just justifiable in domestic international courts. Plus, the volume features valuable appendices with a bibliography of texts and articles on the general subject of ESC rights and a selection of NGOs that focus on these issues. Throughout the book, the authors provide notes, questions, and ‘further reading’ suggestions to stimulate classroom discussion, debate, and research.
