Reacting to the mixed record of the UK Human Rights Act 1998 and similar enactments concerned with the protection of human rights, this book explores ways of promoting human rights more effectively through political and democratic mechanisms. The book expresses ideological scepticism concerning the relative neglect of social and economic rights and institutional scepticism concerning the limitations of court-centred means for enhancing human rights goals in general. The contributors criticize the 'juridification' of human rights through transferring the prime responsibility for identifying human rights violations to courts and advocate the greater 'politicisation' of human rights responsibilities through such measures as enhanced parliamentary scrutiny of existing and proposed legislation. This group of twenty-four leading human rights scholars from around the world present a variety of perspectives on the disappointing human rights outcomes of recent institutional developments and consider the prospects of reviving the moral force and political implications of human rights values. Thus, contributors recount the failures of the Human Rights Act with regard to counter-terrorism; chart how the 'dialogue' model reduces parliaments' capacities to hold governments to account for human rights violations; consider which institutions best protect fundamental rights; and reflect on how the idea of human rights could be 'rescued' in Britain today. In addition, the book considers the historical human rights failures of courts during the Cold War and in Northern Ireland, the diverse outcomes of human rights judicial review, and aspects of the human rights regimes in a variety of jurisdictions, including Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Canada, Europe, and the United States.

About the Author
Educated in Britain, Tom Campbell was Professor of Philosophy at the University of Stirling and Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Glasgow before being appointed Professor of Law at the Australian National University and then Professorial Fellow in the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) at Charles Sturt University. He is the author and editor of several books, including Seven Theories of Human Society, Rights, and Justice. Keith Ewing is Professor of Public Law at King's College London, and is one of the country's leading civil liberties lawyers. He is the author of Freedom under Thatcher: Civil Liberties in Modern Britain (with Conor Gearty) and his other books include Bonfire of the Liberties, The Right to Strike and The Struggle for Civil Liberties (also with Conor Gearty). Adam Tomkins has held the John Millar Chair in Public Law at the University of Glasgow since 2003. Prior to that he taught at St Catherine's College, Oxford, and at King's College London. He is the author of a number of books, including the Clarendon Law Series title Public Law and also British Government and the Constitution (with Colin Turpin).

Reviews
The collection of essays in this volume represents a significant scholarly contribution to debates about the Human Rights Act 1998, supporting a broadening of focus, from the internal content of rights' jurisprudence to a consideration of alternative means of their protection. * Tomas Hamilton, The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice *
This is a rich and detailed volume to which a short review cannot do justice. * Christopher May, Political Studies Review *
The book is meticulously foot noted and, for the convenience of practitioners, academics and students alike, there are copious tables of cases, treaties and legislation. * Phillip Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers *
...this book has done a worthy service in adding argument and ammunition to this debate, the outcome of which will certainly affect us all. * "The Report" *
Together with the extensive referencing and comprehensive use of cases and statues, this book can be a valuable resource for academics and their students, as well as practitioners. * Gerald Schaefer. The Cambrian Law Review 2011 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199606085
Author Tom Campbell
Format Paperback
Page Count 552
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 160mm * 30mm