This third edition of David P. Forsythe's successful textbook provides an authoritative overview of the place of human rights in an age of upheaval in international politics. Human rights standards are examined at the global, regional and national levels, with separate chapters on transnational corporations and advocacy groups. The third edition has been completely updated to include the latest developments on terrorism and counter-terrorism, pro-democracy protests in the Middle East, disputed elections in developing countries, criminal courts and truth commissions, and applications of the laws of war. New sections have been added on subjects such as women's rights and new case studies have been added in each chapter which show how specific rights fare in contemporary political contexts. Containing chapter-by-chapter guides to further reading and discussion questions, this book will be of interest to all students of human rights and their teachers.
1. Understanding of human rights in relation to contextual factors which assist or block the implementation of rights protection
2. Thematic exploration of the meaning of realism and liberalism in regard to human rights
3. Often human rights are discussed without attention to social science theories, but this book offers a linkage between information presented in this book and other social science subjects

Bibliography note: Includes bibliographical references and index.