Universalization of Human Rights? explores the how- and why-questions of international politics after the Cold War. How do human rights as shared ideas constitute interests and actions of states and non-state actors in North-South relations? Why is international human rights politics so constructed as it is? Through an interdisciplinary prism, this book develops a multi-paradigm framework based on mainstream and critical IR theories and detects the meaning, possibilities, constraints, and effects of Western policies towards developing countries (with three case studies on China). It argues for a redefinition of attitudes and values that upholds a bi-directional exchange in international relations: The West and the developing world should seriously assess the socioeconomic, cultural, and historical plurality in international society and examine the viability of existing policy goals and options in light of mutual respect and responsibility.

Autorentext

The Author: Miao-ling Hasenkamp studied political science, sociology, and economic policies and received her Ph.D. in political science from Universität Münster. Her research interests include international human rights politics (identity politics, transnational activism, development and humanitarian aid policy), international relations theory and European integration.

Klappentext

Universalization of Human Rights? explores the how - and why -questions of international politics after the Cold War. How do human rights as shared ideas constitute interests and actions of states and non-state actors in North-South relations? Why is international human rights politics so constructed as it is? Through an interdisciplinary prism, this book develops a multi-paradigm framework based on mainstream and critical IR theories and detects the meaning, possibilities, constraints, and effects of Western policies towards developing countries (with three case studies on China). It argues for a redefinition of attitudes and values that upholds a bi-directional exchange in international relations: The West and the developing world should seriously assess the socioeconomic, cultural, and historical plurality in international society and examine the viability of existing policy goals and options in light of mutual respect and responsibility.

Inhalt

Contents : Understanding International Human Rights Politics - A Multi-Paradigm Synthesis - International Human Rights in the Context of North-South Relations - Sources of Conflicts in Human Rights Practices: the Conflict of Values, the Conflict of Interests, and an Ontological Approach to Address Conflicts - Western Policies: Motivations and Preferences, Levels for Governmental Actions and Policy Options - U.S. Human Rights Policy toward China: Preferences, Actors, and the Evaluation of (De)linkage and Engagement Policies - The Common Foreign Policy of the European Union of Human Rights toward China: the Legal Framework, Actors, and Approaches - Western Influence in International Regimes - a Case Study on the China Issue.