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China Today
Human Rights in China: A Social Practice in the Shadows of Authoritarianism
How can we make sense of human rights in China's authoritarian Party-State system? Eva Pils offers a nuanced account of this contentious area, examining human rights as a set of social practices. Drawing on a wide range of resources including years of interaction with Chinese human rights defenders, Pils discusses what gives rise to systematic human rights violations, what institutional avenues of protection are available, and how social practices of human rights defence have evolved.
Three central areas are liberty and integrity of the person; freedom of thought and expression; and inequality and socio-economic rights. Pils argues that the Party-State system is inherently opposed to human rights principles in all these areas, and that – contributing to a global trend – it is becoming more repressive. Yet, despite authoritarianism's lengthening shadows, China’s human rights movement has so far proved resourceful and resilient. The trajectories discussed here will continue to shape the struggle for human rights in China and beyond its borders.
Three central areas are liberty and integrity of the person; freedom of thought and expression; and inequality and socio-economic rights. Pils argues that the Party-State system is inherently opposed to human rights principles in all these areas, and that – contributing to a global trend – it is becoming more repressive. Yet, despite authoritarianism's lengthening shadows, China’s human rights movement has so far proved resourceful and resilient. The trajectories discussed here will continue to shape the struggle for human rights in China and beyond its borders.
- GenresChinaNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published December 11, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 23, 2023
A solid introductory overview to how human rights advocacy in China functions, coupled with a system-level analysis of how violations occur. It brings together key issues of migrants rights, population control, child policy, health, housing disposition, together with the more reported/direct/familiar human rights issues of freedom of speech and assembly.
For those more familiar with Chinese political literature and up to date with current events, this will not contain anything new, but for those wanting a good and simple introduction to these issues, it's a good book.
For those more familiar with Chinese political literature and up to date with current events, this will not contain anything new, but for those wanting a good and simple introduction to these issues, it's a good book.
June 8, 2020
A must read for all diplomats, expats, journalists and others living/doing business with China.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews