International Human Rights: Universalism Versus Relativism

The universality of international human rights has been an enduring issue. This volume argues that the positions of the universalists and cultural relativists are not diametrically opposed and that it is possible to demonstrate, empirically and cross-culturally, the existence of worldwide human rights. Cultural relativists have long been criticized for claiming that rights are a Western construct and that some cultures have no such concept. Alison Renteln recasts this idea claiming that it is possible to create structural equivalents to rights in all cultures thus allowing for both cultural relativism and the universality of human rights. She then demonstrates the existence of one such universal right, measured retribution, using cross cultural data. This anthropological look at long-standing legal and philosophical issue will be of value to scholars and human rights activists alike.Renteln, Alison D. is the author of 'International Human Rights: Universalism Versus Relativism' with ISBN 9780803935068 and ISBN 0803935064.