Rights are basic building blocks of the contemporary state and yet their rigorous justification is notoriously difficult. This book provides a thorough analysis of this central topic in modern political discourse. The book challenges the orthodox view that rights are a type of property claim in one's body. Drawing on the tradition of the social contract as well as the wealth of recent work in political theory the book argues for a different conception of rights. Rights are conceived as a certain type of political claim, justified by a Kantian ideal of autonomy. Moreover, that justification provides a moral basis for rights that, while independent of law and custom, is also tied to an image of citizenship particularly suited to the pluralistic nature of contemporary liberal society.
Reviews
A tightly know critique of rights theory premised on self-ownership and negative rights. * Choice *
In her detailed analyses, Dr Ingram elucidates some important rights associated with liberal democracies ... a politics of autonomy is worth considering and Attracta Ingram's account should be widely read. Some philosophy should not be left to philosophers. * The Irish Times *
The book is persuasive in arguing that the autonomy thesis is true and that autonomy is the proper basis for rights ... This is a good book, with sophisticated discussions of a wide range of contemporary literature. * Ethics *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198279631
Author Attracta Ingram
Format Paperback
Page Count 244
Imprint Clarendon Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Dimensions(mm) 217mm * 139mm * 14mm