This pioneering book demonstrates how different traditions of sociological thought can contribute to an understanding of the theory and practice of rights. It provides a sociological treatment of a wide range of substantive issues but never loses sight of the key theoretical questions.
It:
- considers some varied cases of public intervention, including welfare, caring, mental health provisions, pensions, justice and free speech alongside the rights issues they raise
- examines the question of rights from the point of view of distinctive population groups, such as prisoners and victims, women, ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and lesbians and gays.
A key strength is its detailed presentation and analysis of different aspects of rights and its exploration of a variety of analytical perspectives. Rights are viewed, not in terms of ethical certainty, but as the product of social processes and part of shifting terrain which is open to negotiation.
Including a theoretical critique of existing perspectives, Rights offers a diverse and detailed exploration of the contribution sociological thought can make to this increasingly important aspect of social life and is an invaluable aid to students studying in this area.
Introduction
LYDIA MORRIS
Section I Political Economy
1. Do we need rights – if so of what kind?
TED BENTON
2. Return of the proletariat? Pension rights and pension finance in an ageing society
ROBIN BLACKBURN
3. Developing an economic sociology of care and rights
MIRIAM GLUCKSMANN
Section II Status, Norms and Institutions
4. Citizenship, social rights and civic stratification
LYDIA MORRIS
5. ‘Women’s rights as human rights’: campaigns and concepts
DIANE ELSON
6. Human rights, anti-racism and EU advocacy coalitions
CARLO RUZZA
Section III Meaning and Interpretation
7. Rights, social theory and political philosophy: a framework for case study research
ROB STONES
8. Rights work: constructing lesbian, gay and sexual rights in late modern times
KEN PLUMMER
9. The sociology of indigenous people’s rights
COLIN SAMSON and DAMIEN SHORT
Section IV The Clash of Rights
10. Punishment, rights and justice
EAMONN CARRABINE
11. Mental Disorder and Human Rights
JOAN BUSFIELD
12. Free to Speak, Free to Hate?
PAUL IGANSKI
Conclusion
LYDIA MORRIS
Biography
Lydia Morris is a Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Essex. Her recent research interest has been in the politics of migration in the EU, looking at citizenship, rights and inequality. Her recent publications include Managing Migration: Civic Stratification and Migrants' Rights (2002); Social Divisions (1995); Dangerous Classes (1994) and The Workings of the Household (1990).
'This is a timely and important book and should succeed in raising interest in the study of a sociology of rights.' - Sociology, Vol 4, Aug 2007