Author: Nalini Rajan
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 236
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761996761
Description
At the start of the twenty-first century we are still debating various fundamental issues pertaining to core human values, popularly known as Human Rights. Constituting an important contribution to the debate, the central purpose of this book is to demonstrate the essential link between human rights and democracy. Nalini Rajan maintains that human rights can flourish only in a state which promotes the democratic value of equal consideration of individual autonomy - i.e.., each person's capacity to act independently.
Developing this core theme, with particular reference to various provisions of the Indian Constitution, the author maintains that human rights within a democratic structure tend to become the rights of the majority, particularly when incomes to culture and religion. The right to religious freedom, she believes, should pertain to individuals rather than to groups, since the special privileges often accorded to the latter actually conflict with the rights of those belonging to oppressed groups like women and backward castes.
Talking up various important issues and concepts like multi-culturalism, citizenship, economic rights, and the right to a certain quality of life, Nailing Rajan argues that minority rights are not the only way to counter majoritarianism. She also advocates structural and Constitutional changes to render the Indian policy more federal, particularly through devolution and local self-governance.
Arguing in favor of justice rather than peaceful co-existence and of the need for minority rights to counter majoritarian democracy, this powerful commentary on topical issues dominating present day political discourse in India will attract a broad readership across the social sciences. It will of particular interest to political scientists, sociologists and human rights activists.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Defining human rights
Why democracy matters
Freedom of co9nscience or of choice?
Multiculturalism and identity politics
Is there a right not to work?
Gandhi and ecological imperatives
Towards greater fede4ralism
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
About the Author